Crystal Digging Season Opens April 1 at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Cherokee, Oklahoma. Photo courtesy: USFWS

CHEROKEE, Okla. (KOKH) — Crystal digging season opens April 1 at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.

The crystal digging season runs from April 1-October 15.

Crystal digging is only allowed from sunrise to sunset in the Dig Area.

Prospective diggers should drive to the Selenite Crystal Digging Area located at 66003 Garvin Road in Cherokee.

Once inside the gate, visitors should drive about a mile following the road and park in front of orange “Dig Area” signs.

Visitors are allowed to collect up to 10 pounds and one large cluster for their personal use.

“Crystal Digging is a great, free activity for people of all ages to collect unique hourglass crystals and see wildlife,” said Melissa Robell, a visitor services specialist at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. “The Dig Area is closed the rest of the year to protect endangered Whooping Cranes migrating through.”

Prospective diggers are encouraged to bring a shovel, protection from the sun, plenty of water to drink and to rinse crystals with after digging. There is a restroom available inside the gate at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area.

“Only about one third of the 32,197-acre refuge is salt flats. With five hiking trails and 315 bird species observed since the opening in 1930 there is a lot to see and do other than dig for crystals.” said Shane Kasson, a refuge manager at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.