Great Salt Plains Lake, Oklahoma, USA

With over 8,600 acres of water and 41 miles of shoreline, Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country is an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal destination. Great Salt Plains Lake is located in a natural basin that has red shale bluffs and sandy beaches near the dam and salt plains on the west side that are literally a sea of salt. No one really knows why…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Great Salt Plains Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Great Salt Plains Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Great Salt Plains Lake, OK

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Oklahoma - Red Carpet Country, OK -

    With over 8,600 acres of water and 41 miles of shoreline, Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country is an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal destination. Great Salt Plains Lake is located in a natural basin that has red shale bluffs and sandy beaches near the dam and salt plains on the west side that are literally a sea of salt.

    No one really knows why there is such a great expanse of salt in the area, but one theory is that the salt is the remains of a prehistoric sea. However, one thing is known for certain and that is the fact that the Great Salt Plains Lake is the only place on earth that crystals form with hourglass shapes inside. These “hourglass selenite” are a delicate form of selenite which is a form of gypsum. Travelers from around the world visit the Great Salt Plains to mine for these crystals.

    Great Salt Plains Lake naturally contains salty water that is about half as salty as the ocean. With six state maintained areas around the lake, visitors may have a hard time choosing what to do first. The recreational activities include boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, beaches, and multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horse back riding. The campgrounds have groomed areas for tents, RVs and cabins available for vacation rentals.

    Anglers will want to take advantage of the fishing dock and multiple boat ramps to gain access to the great fishing at Great Salt Plains Lake. The lake is regularly stocked with channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, and saugeye. White bass, sand bass, and trout are also abundant.

    The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Great Salt Plains Lake and surrounding area. This refuge is part of the Continental Central Flyway which is a chain of refuge areas for migrating birds and waterfowl, especially duck and geese. The bald eagle and gold eagle spend their winters in the refuge. This area is a top destination for avid birdwatchers as it has been noted that one local birdwatcher spotted 110 species of birds in just one and half days.

    If Great Salt Plains Lake does not have enough fun for you, just remember that it is located in the Red Carpet Country of Oklahoma with its many diverse attractions and landscapes. The geography of the area ranges from gypsum sand dunes to rugged buttes to massive mesas. With just a short drive from Great Salt Plains Lake you can step back to days of the Wild West and enjoy a bronco busting good time at a rodeo or the colorful costumes of Indian powwows and festivals. Enjoy the bright lights and many sounds of local casinos, the roar of stockcar racing, or the quiet and intellectually stimulating museums and historical sites.

    Whether you choose crystal mining, bird watching, or just relaxing on the beach, visit the fun at the world famous Great Salt Plains Lake.

    Things to Do at Great Salt Plains Lake

    These are some activities in the Great Salt Plains Lake, OK area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Wildlife Refuge
    • Museum
    • Casino Gambling

    What Kind of Fish Are in Great Salt Plains Lake?

    Great Salt Plains Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Saugeye Perch
    • Striped Bass
    • Trout
    • White Bass
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Great Salt Plains Lake

    If you’re considering a Great Salt Plains Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Great Salt Plains Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Great Salt Plains Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Great Salt Plains Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 8,690 acres

    Shoreline Length: 41 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,125 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,118 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,139 feet

    Average Depth: 3 feet

    Water Volume: 26,111 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1941

    Drainage Area: 3,200 sq. miles

    Great Salt Plains Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Great Salt Plains Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Great Salt Plains Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Great Salt Plains Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Great Salt Plains Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Great Salt Plains Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: