Side-Trip Report: Great Salt Plains SP, OK
We spent a few days at one of Oklahoma’s hidden gem state parks. Great Salt Plains, near Jet, in Alfalfa County OK. Waaaay out of the way, but definitely worth the trip.
The reservoir was created by a dam on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, completed in 1941. It has an interesting three-level spillway.
A Western Soapberry tree, native to OK, near our campsite. I’d never seen one bearing fruit, so I took a picture. I assume there’s a reason they’re called soapberries, so I didn’t taste them.
Selina catching some rays, and using her toy basket as a pillow.
Our campsite. A beautiful spot.
We drove down to the spillway parking area to look around.
The lake’s average depth is about four feet. There are salt flats on the other side of the lake, where a unique type of selenite crystal can be found.
The salt flats area is reachable by vehicle, though it’s about a 15 mile drive from the campground.
The approach road to the flats. We were told to not get off the road. There is the possibility of quicksand under a thin, stable looking crust.
Parking area ahead.
The digging area is outlined by posts. They move it around periodically so the crystals can grow undisturbed for a while.
The results of about an hour of digging.
An example of the most desirable crystals. The hourglass shaped inclusions are unique to this area. The clusters are also desirable. None of the crystals we found are quite as nice as these, but we had a good time nonetheless.
If you find yourself crossing OK on US-412, consider taking US-64 to the north instead, and see something new!
:):)
The reservoir was created by a dam on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, completed in 1941. It has an interesting three-level spillway.
A Western Soapberry tree, native to OK, near our campsite. I’d never seen one bearing fruit, so I took a picture. I assume there’s a reason they’re called soapberries, so I didn’t taste them.
Selina catching some rays, and using her toy basket as a pillow.
Our campsite. A beautiful spot.
We drove down to the spillway parking area to look around.
The lake’s average depth is about four feet. There are salt flats on the other side of the lake, where a unique type of selenite crystal can be found.
The salt flats area is reachable by vehicle, though it’s about a 15 mile drive from the campground.
The approach road to the flats. We were told to not get off the road. There is the possibility of quicksand under a thin, stable looking crust.
Parking area ahead.
The digging area is outlined by posts. They move it around periodically so the crystals can grow undisturbed for a while.
The results of about an hour of digging.
An example of the most desirable crystals. The hourglass shaped inclusions are unique to this area. The clusters are also desirable. None of the crystals we found are quite as nice as these, but we had a good time nonetheless.
If you find yourself crossing OK on US-412, consider taking US-64 to the north instead, and see something new!
:):)
