LASR.net Homepage




Menu

Farmers Exchange Bank Cherokee Main Street

Salt Flats and Selenite Crystals


category : Natural Attractions
Salt Flats and Selenite Crystals The salt plains are a unique geological area. Visitors may enjoy viewing the near perfectly flat 11,000-acre barren area with the wafer thin salt crust or dig for the Famous Salt Plains selenite crystals with the hour-glass sand inclusion.

The salt was formed by repeated flooding by sea water millions of years ago. The sea water was cut off from the sea and evaporated, depositing thick layers of salt. The area was subsequently covered by erosion from mountain ranges. Below the plains, ground water travels through the salt saturated sand and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving the crust of salt. The concentrated saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth in a portion of the salt flats.

Visitors are allowed to dig from April 1 - October 15 in the designated area. This is the only place in the world where hourglass shaped sand inclusions may be found in most crystals.

An observation tower located at the crystal area gate is open year round and provides a good view of the salt flats and western edge of the lake.

A brochure on the selenite crystals and the procedure for digging for them is available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Park Office.


Hours: Open April 1 - October 15 , Closed October 16 - March 31
Address: 3 miles South of Cherokee
Phone: 580-596-6111

Come visit us in Cherokee, Oklahoma

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Centennial Wall

The Cherokee Strip Centennial Wall is inlaid with bricks etched with names commemorating the first homesteaders and pioneers who settled this area during the 1893 Land Run and contributed to the growth of our city.

Cherokee, OK Memorials

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

Salt Plains was established in 1930 "as a refuge and breeding ground for birds." It provides habitat for approximately 300 species of birds and 30 species of mammals. The 32,030 acres is divided into almost equal parts of nonvegetated salt flat, open water, and vegetated land (

Cherokee, OK Wildlife Refuges

Alfalfa County Courthouse and War Memorial

The Alfalfa County Courthouse was built in 1921

Cherokee, OK Historic Courthouses

Salt Flats and Selenite Crystals

The salt plains are a unique geological area. Visitors may enjoy viewing the near perfectly flat 11,000-acre barren area with the wafer thin salt crust or dig for the Famous Salt Plains selenite crystals with the hour-glass sand inclusion.

Cherokee, OK Natural Attractions

Artesian Well

An ever-flowing "Artesian well" spring is located northeast of Cherokee, Oklahoma, and provides a cool drink for travelers and a "fill-your-own-container" source of water for many homes of the area. In 2003

Cherokee, OK Natural Attractions

Things to do Natural Attractions near Cherokee, OK