How to Dig Crystals on the Oklahoma Salt Plains

The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma is the only spot on earth where you can dig for selenite crystals. The crystals grow in the Salt Plains' unique soil, which contains gypsum and saline. The hourglass shape of many of the crystals is found only in the Salt Plains. Selenite crystals are easily found because they are rarely more than 2 feet below the surface.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bucket
• Sunscreen
• Shovel
• Hand spade

1. Plan your trip between April 1 and October 15, when the Salt Plains are open for crystal digging.
2. Go to the Salt Plains for a day visit, or stay overnight at the adjacent Great Salt Plains State Park. The park offers RV facilities, campsites and cabins.
3. Go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Web site (see Who Can Help below) for a map and directions to the digging site..
4. Arrive at the Salt Plains any time between sunrise and sunset. Dig in designated areas only.
5. Take a shovel, hand spade and bucket to the digging area.
6. Dig a hole 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide. The ground may feel crunchy as your dig through the crystals.
7. Allow water to seep into the hole. Once 2 or 3 inches of water seeps in, splash it with your hand or a pan against the sides of the hole to reveal the crystals.
8. Continue to splash the crystals until you can easily remove them. Use caution, as they are fragile at this point.
9. Remove the crystals and place them in the sun to dry. Some people use egg cartons to hold the crystals.
10. Place the dry crystals in your bucket. Each person can take up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large cluster out of the area each day.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear plenty of sunscreen while digging for crystals. The whiteness of the salt surface makes it all too easy to get a sunburn.
• Take time to do some birdwatching on the Salt Plains. You will see great blue herons, cattle egrets and white-faced ibis.
• Drive on designated roads only in the digging area. Underneath the crust of the Salt Plains lies a bed of quicksand.