Field Trip Cruiser - The Great Salt Plains

 

Salt Plains north of Jet, Oklahoma

Who would believe that there is a 7 mile long and 3 mile wide "ocean" of salt in the middle of Oklahoma? Well, here it is!

Great Salt Plains State Park is the only spot in the world where you can dig for "hourglass" selenite crystals. The digging is from April 1 through October 15.


A photo of my dear hubbie walking on the sea of salt!


Birds too!


A View of the Crystals up close.


This is a view of the Salt Plains from the Great Salt Plains State Park side of the lake. You can see the salt on the other side of the lake.


A view from the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge looking west towards the Salt Plains. You can't see the Salt Plains very well from here but the scenery is beautiful!

Treaty with the Creeks, 1933, Article 7. "It is hereby agreed by the Creek nation, parties hereto, that if the saline or salt plains on the great western prairies, should come within the boundaries defined by this agreement, as the country of the Creek nation, then, and in that case the President of the United States, shall have the power to permit all other friendly Indian tribes to visit said salt plains and procure thereon and carry away salt sufficient for their subsistence, without hindrance or molestation from the said Creek Indians." (http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/cre0388.htm)


This makes a great trip for the the whole family. You can camp, hike, bicycle, swim, bird watch, picnic and even dig for selenite crystals in the spring! If you are traveling a distance, then visit the Sod House Museum in Aline and the Railroad Museum in Enid.

For more photos, check the Oklahoma Parks website: http://www.touroklahoma.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+3596

For more info and directions to the Great Salt Plains, call 580-596-3053 or see this website: http://greatsaltplains.com/.

All Photos © copyright 2005 by Bill and Cindy Downes

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