Salt Plains State Park Campground sits on the edge of Oklahoma's unique salt flats, an unusual geographical feature formed by prehistoric oceans that once covered the region. Located near the small town of Jet, the area offers distinctive ecological conditions where salt-resistant plants and wildlife thrive. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer brings temperatures exceeding 100°F with strong winds sweeping across the exposed plains.
What to do
Crystal digging: From April through October, visitors can dig for selenite hourglass crystals at the designated dig site. "The Great Salt Plains is great place to go for an adventure. You could spend hours just digging up the crystals on the salt plains," notes a camper from Salt Plains State Park Campground.
Fishing: The area offers excellent catfishing opportunities in the shallow waters. "Catfish are abundant and LARGE. Lake is fairly shallow," reports a visitor to Salt Plains. Local anglers often fish along the Arkansas River near the campground, with several spots butted right against the river.
Hiking: Trails around the spillway provide views of the surrounding landscape. "Hiking was awesome. Views from top of the spillway are unbelievable," says a camper at Salt Plains State Park Campground. The trails range from easy walks to more challenging routes up the dam.
Birdwatching: The salt plains serve as an important migration stop for birds, including whooping cranes. Several observation points allow visitors to view birds and other wildlife that call this unique ecosystem home.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment. "Each time, even during the summer season, I have to say this is the quietest lake I've ever been to," shares a visitor to Salt Plains State Park Campground about their experiences in June, August, and November.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. At Cherokee City RV Park, a reviewer noted it "has what you need with electric, water and sewer hookups. Walking distance to the restaurant."
River access: Campsites along the river provide direct water access. "Several spots are butted up right against the river with lots of shade trees," mentions a camper at Salt Plains State Park Campground, highlighting the convenient river proximity for cooling off during hot days.
Sunrises and sunsets: The open landscape creates dramatic sky views. "There was a wild storm the night I arrived, making for an indescribly sublime sunrise," shares one visitor about their experience at the park.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: The crystal digging area closes from October to April for bird migration. "Crystal digging is only available from April 1 to October 15 due to the area being a migration stop for whooping cranes," explains a visitor to the park.
Limited shade: The salt plains offer minimal protection from the sun. "Not much shade, but the view is spectacular," notes a camper at Ashley Lane RV Park, which is similar to conditions at the salt plains.
Weather preparedness: Strong winds and extreme temperatures require planning. "It can get hot and windy so bring water and sunscreen," advises a camper who visited the crystal digging site during August.
Office hours: Park administration closes early. "Come early if you need park assistance. Offices close at 4 p.m. however you can check into sites through the honor box system," shares a visitor about the park's limited staffing hours.
Tips for camping with families
Crystal digging equipment: Bring shovels, sifters, and water for cleaning finds. "We brought our own sifters, a few jugs of water for cleaning off our finds and a shovel which seemed to be all we needed to find more than our fair share of crystals," explains a visitor to the dig site.
Playground access: Some camping areas include facilities for children. "Salt Plains State Park Campground has showers and flushing toilets and a playground are nearby," notes a camper, making it suitable for families with young children.
Swimming opportunities: The lake has designated swimming areas. "Nice little swim beach. Perfect place to get away from the big city and see the sky," shares a visitor about Salt Plains State Park's amenities for water recreation.
Morning noise awareness: Aircraft activity can occasionally disrupt the quiet. "The only distraction was the morning we left, when several small planes made practice landings and takeoffs at the nearby Jet Airport," reports a camper, noting this mainly occurred on a Monday morning.
Tips from RVers
Cell service variations: Different carriers perform better than others in this remote area. "Verizon service works good throughout the park. Two years ago when I visited I was using T-Mobile, and it hardly work at all. Very bad signal," shares a visitor to Shirley's Shine Car Wash and RV Park.
Campsite selection: River Road campground offers the most amenities for RVs. "These were capable of accommodating both tents and RVs and had connections and amenities which would far surpass other campsites," notes a visitor about the River Road section of Salt Plains State Park.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance planning. "Reservations must be made through Reserve America," explains a camper about the booking process for Salt Plains State Park's RV sites with water and electric hookups.
Big rig accommodation: Some parks can handle larger vehicles. "We fit in a super C (Semi truck) 41ft long x 13.6 height with flat tow," mentions a visitor about Shirley's RV Park's ability to accommodate oversized vehicles.
