Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
A remnant salt basin supports migratory birds and the only public digging area for hourglass-selenite crystals.
Artwork inspired by Alexandre Hogue
Groundwater brings dissolved salts to an ancient lake bed, producing saline flats and distinctive selenite crystals that can enclose an hourglass-shaped pattern of sand. The refuge is also vital shorebird and waterfowl habitat, so access is carefully zoned.
Dig only in the designated season and marked area, bring eye protection and water, and wash tools to prevent moving invasive organisms. Never enter closed habitat or assume the glaring white surface is cool.
- Distinctive crystal
- Hourglass selenite
- Setting
- Jet, Oklahoma, United States
- Admission
- Free general admission
Quick guide
- Interpretive pair
- Hourglass selenite ↔ Designated seasonal digging area only
- Closing move
- Internationally important migratory bird stop
Quick guide
- Salt
- Connect groundwater evaporation with the bright flats of an ancient lake basin.
- Crystals
- Dig only in the designated season and area, following depth and tool rules.
- Hourglass
- Look for sand inclusions inside selenite without treating every crystal as identical.
- Birds
- Keep shorebird and waterfowl habitat undisturbed outside the collection zone.
Good to know
The famous hourglass shape inside some selenite crystals is trapped sand from the salt flat, and crystal digging is allowed only in a designated seasonal area.
Notice these
- Hourglass selenite
- Designated seasonal digging area only
- Internationally important migratory bird stop