Crystal digging, the ultimate family treasure hunt activity, is available again at the Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge. This wildlife refuge and state park is located 30 miles northwest of Enid in Northwest Oklahoma. Take either Highway 45 or 412 a few miles west of Enid to Highway 132, north to Highway 64, then west to Jet. Travel north on Highway 38 from Jet to begin your tour of the area. The digging area is located between Jet and the Highway 8 and Highway 64 intersection. The road leads north, then back east (look for the sign).

Here is what to bring and how to have the best results:

Be prepared. You will need a shovel, a bucket or jug of water, and a container such as an egg carton in which to carry the crystals, which are fragile until dry. Since crystal hunters spend most of their time on hands and knees, an old towel is handy, both for kneeling and wiping hands. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential; bright sun combined with glare from the white salt surface can quickly result in sunburn. There is no shade so bring a big umbrella and make your own.

Use a shovel to dig a hole about two feet deep until you reach wet sand. Allow two or three reach wet sand. Use your hands or a cup to splash water gently against the sides of the hole. (Some people bring a container of water, so they have plenty of water to splash…and to drink!) The water is used to wash the soil away and expose the crystals.

When you find a crystal, continue splashing it with water until it is mostly exposed. Newly-exposed crystals are fragile and will break if you try to pull them from the soil. After removing the crystal, place it where the sun and wind will dry it. Egg cartons are useful for drying and carrying smaller crystals. You are permitted to remove up to ten pounds of crystals, plus one large cluster each day.