Thousands of Sandhill Cranes, ducks, shorebirds and some endangered Whooping Cranes use this important bird area. This 32,197-acre refuge located in north-central Oklahoma, is made up of a variety of habitats such as wetlands, prairie and about 12,000 acres of salt flats. Majestic and wide open, the salt flats are the only place in the world where you can dig for hourglass selenite crystals.
Trails and Public Hunting Area closures

Some trails and the Public Hunting Area north of State Highway 11 will be closed for the Conservation Deer Hunts in November: 4-9, 14-16, 28-30 and December 5-8. Learn more about hunting with the refuge hunting brochure. Call the refuge at (580) 626-4794 to get more information.

Latest News

Mixed flock of geese flying off refuge.
Wildlife Management
Weekly Waterfowl Survey
Each week, October-March, the refuge performs a count of waterfowl and other bird species. Counts are usually conducted Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday depending on staff availability and access to count areas.
A big brown wooly animal with horns grazes in the snow at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge outside of Denver.
Wildlife Wonders
Weathering the Cold
Animals deploy a host of strategies to survive the cold. Some may surprise you.
A brown sheep with big curled horns gets its photo snapped by a trail camera at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona.
Science and Technology
Wildlife Selfies
Animals trigger candid snaps when they approach remote-action trail cameras. The surprisingly high-quality shots that result not only entertain; they also inform refuge science and wildlife management.
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Visit Us

Come explore this unique refuge by hunting, fishing, birdwatching, crystal digging, viewing wildlife and hiking. The refuge is free to enter and is open everyday from sunrise to sunset except for fishing and crystal digging (open April 1 through October 15). Pets are allowed but must be on leash. Make sure to check out the visitor center located two miles south of State Highway 11 along County Road 710.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 32,197 acres in north-central Oklahoma. The refuge is composed of mixed-grass prairie, rolling sand hills, forested riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       areas, herbaceous wetlands, open water (Great Salt Plains Reservoir), and salt flats.

      What We Do

      Many conservation tools like prescribed fire, heavy equipment, and chemical herbicides are used to manage the refuge for migratory and breeding birds, mammals, herps, fish and aquatic species. As well as connecting to the surrounding community and partners about environmental issues.

      Our Species

      Two large white birds with spindly legs and black tips on their wings coming in for a landing in a wetland

      The whooping crane occurs only in North America and is North America’s tallest bird, with males approaching 1.5 m (5 ft) when standing erect. The whooping crane adult plumage is snowy white except for black primaries, black or grayish alula (specialized feathers attached to the upper leading end...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Projects and Research

      The refuge has management programs focused on inventory and monitoring, invasive species invasive species
      An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

      Learn more about invasive species       and habitat. The Visitor Services Program focuses projects on outreach, education and partnerships.