Rockhounding Near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 9 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils

Besides being a tornado hot spot during the spring season, Oklahoma City has more to offer.

For those who are interested in rock collecting, Oklahoma City is a paradise.

If you plan to visit Oklahoma City soon, you need to know where to go to find unique rocks and crystals.

In the following text, you’ll discover nine places to go rockhounding near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Rockhounding Near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Laws are updated. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material.

1. Great Salt Plains State Park

The great salt plains state park is a little over two hours away from Oklahoma City.

Those seeking to see selenite crystal hourglasses are drawn to the park, as it is the only place in the world where you can find them.

People also enjoy exploring the park’s 41 miles of acres near the shoreline of a salty lake, which creates unique agate stones.

Digging for rocks is not allowed any time of the year, but is permitted between April 1 and October 15.

Some of the rocks and minerals you can find are agates, jaspers, gypsum, and malachite.

2. Trosper Park

The Trosper Park is located less than 30 minutes away from Oklahoma City.

The park offers the city residents a space close by to explore and connect to nature.

In addition, you can hike along the South Grand Trail to find spots for you to dig for rocks and other minerals.

The hike is 10 miles long and starts north of the Canadian River, ending west of the Oklahoma River Trails.

It is considered an easy trail and takes about four hours to complete.

You may find rose rocks or barite, agate, petrified wood, jasper, and quartz along the trail.

3. Lake Stanley Draper

Only thirty minutes away from Oklahoma City is Lake Stanley Draper.

It is a popular area for recreational fun such as boating, hiking, and fishing.

The lake reservoir is open Monday through Sunday between the hours of 6 AM to 11 PM.

You can find places to dig for rocks and other minerals around the lake.

Some of the minerals you can find are rose rocks, agate, and jasper.

4. Lake Thunderbird

Only a short 48-minute drive away from Oklahoma City is Lake Thunderbird.

It is Oklahoma’s only urban state park and is within the city limits of Norma, Oklahoma.

The state park offers 86 miles of camping, hiking trails, water sports, and nature watching.

There are three trails you can hike on: the Clear Bay Short Loop trail, Hog Creek Trail, and Indian Point Hiking Trail.

If you follow along the Indian Point Hiking Trail, you’ll be able to find rose rocks in the area.

5. Paoli

An hour south of Oklahoma City is the town of Paoli.

The town is small, with a population of 600 people.

However, right before you get to the next town over, you’ll see red sandstones southeast of the town.

You can find the minerals rose rocks, malachite, agate, and jasper.

6. El Reno

Only 43 minutes away from Oklahoma City is the city of El Reno.

The city is famous for its French onion burgers but is also a hot spot for digging for rocks, crystals, and other minerals.

Below are some of the areas you can go digging around El Reno, Oklahoma:

Scheiter Gypsum Quarry
Calumet Deposit
Okarche Gypsum Mine

You can find the minerals gypsum, agate, jasper, and petrified wood in these areas.

Remember, these areas may be on private land since they’re old mines.

So, before you go rock collecting in the area, remember to ask the owners.

7. Chickasha

Only 53 minutes away from Oklahoma City is the city of Chickasha.

There is a stone quarry located on the outskirts of the city.

Within the area of the quarry, you can find the minerals of sedimentary rocks, gypsum, and clay.

8. Lake Hefner

Lake Hefner is a 32-minute drive away from Oklahoma City.

It is a popular destination for boating, hiking, and water sports.

You can travel the Lake Hefner Trail, which is 9.40 miles long.

It takes three hours and fifty-two minutes to complete and is considered an easy route.

The best time to visit the trail is from the months of March to October.

During the winter months, the soil may be too hard to dig for rock collecting.

Also, if you consider bringing your pet dog, make sure to keep them on the leash.

Many people do not like animals to be off-leash on this hiking trail.

Some of the rocks and minerals you can find around the area are agate, jasper, barite, and quartz.

9. Lake Overholser

Lake Overholser is a reservoir that is about 32 minutes west of Oklahoma City.

It is formed by the Overholser Dam on the North Canadian River and is 2.9 miles long.

The lake was named after the 16th mayor of Oklahoma City, Ed Overholser.

The Lake Overholser Loop is a trail you can take around the lake to find places to go digging for rocks and other minerals.

It is 8.20 miles long and is considered a bit of a challenge for those who are not used to hiking.

There’s a parking area east of Overholser Drive, which is toward the end of the trail.

The trail is open all year long, but the best time to go rock collecting is during the late spring and summer months.

If you consider bringing a pet along, make sure you keep them on a leash, as unleashed pets are prohibited.

There are no fees to enter the trail, and it is open from dawn to dusk.

Some of the rocks and minerals you can find along the trail are rose rocks, petrified wood, and quartz.

Wrapping Up

Here you go! These are the nine starting out options to go rockhounding near Oklahoma City.