Discover Oklahoma: Nature lovers flock to stateâ€™s salt plains

Did you know that Oklahoma is home to 11 eco-regions?

Within the state, people can explore diverse terrain of all sorts. Lush green pine forests, cypress swamps, vast desert mesas, alabaster caverns, tall grass prairies and even ancient mountains all have a home in Oklahoma. The varied landscape makes Oklahoma a nature-lover’s paradise.

But of all the topographical options to explore, perhaps none is as unusual and unexpected as the Great Salt Plains.

Great Salt Plains State Park lies among miles of beautiful farmland. The park has several modern cabins that visitors can temporarily call home as they enjoy the hiking, mountain biking, swimming and sightseeing the park offers.

Great Salt Plains Lake is great for catching the catfish, saugeye, sandbass and hybrid stripers that populate the salty body of water. Those who want to be a little closer to nature can set up camp and take advantage of the equestrian trails that circle the park. Just bring your own horse.

Adjacent to the park is the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. This 32,000-acre tract of protected land is home to more than 30 species of mammals but is more famous for the 312 species of birds that live or stop by the refuge annually.

Each year, bird-watching enthusiasts from around the world visit the refuge to catch a glimpse of rare migratory water fowl such as the endangered whooping crane and American white pelicans that visit during their migratory travels.

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