Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

10/29/2026

Help us thank the Volunteer Vacation Crew!

Last week, five people came across the country to participate in a Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society. Crew members helped us do trail maintenance for both Eagle Roost Trail and Hoot Owl Loop. One of their biggest accomplishments was putting a new layer of gravel for the whole 0.68-mile Hoot Owl Loop.

Photos: Volunteer Vacation crew and refuge staff, USFWS and new gravel on Hoot Owl Loop, USFWS

10/26/2026

Seeking input for draft of compatibility determination

Compatibility determinations are a way to ensure that uses are compatible with the refuge purpose.

Draft of wildlife observation compatibility determination:https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2026-10/draftcompatibilitydetermination_wildobservation_saltplainsnwr.pdf

This is a previously approved use. Comments are due by the close of business on 11/09/2026. Please send comments to [email protected].

Photo: Three people observing wildlife on refuge trail, USFWS

10/25/2026

Trails, Auto Tour, and the Public Hunting Area are open again until November 2nd

Eagle Roost Trail, Hoot Owl Loop, the Harold F. Miller Auto Tour, and the Public Hunting Area are open again after a Conservation Deer Hunt. These areas are open until the next hunt on November 2nd.

Photo: Start of the Harold F. Miller Auto Tour, USFWS

10/22/2026

Area Closures October 23–25 for Conservation Deer Hunt

Eagle Roost Trail (only open from the parking area to the photo blind), Hoot Owl Loop, the Harold F. Miller Auto Tour and the Public Hunting Area will be closed for a Conservation Deer Hunt on October 23-25.

Photo: Parking Area of Eagle Roost Trail, USFWS

10/21/2026

Weekly Waterfowl Survey: 6,773 Ducks, 515 Geese, 11 Sandhill Cranes, and 5 Bald Eagles.

We have now started our weekly waterfowl survey. Weekly our staff is spread across the refuge to count birds flying in an emergence count. After counting the birds flying, staff count the remaining birds.

For more information about specific species: https://www.fws.gov/story/weekly-waterfowl-survey.

Photo: Refuge truck with spotting scope at count point, USFWS

10/17/2026

Get batty at the Cherokee City-County Library🦇

We had fun creating a bat cave and sharing bat facts this morning! Don't worry if you couldn’t make it, you can explore the cave for free the rest of October at the Cherokee City-County Library.

Photo: Refuge staff in a bat cave, USFWS

10/16/2026

Crystal Digging and fishing are closed until April 1

Selenite Crystal Digging is only allowed seasonally during the Crystal Digging Season open from April 1 through October 15. The Dig Area is closed the rest of the year to protect endangered Whooping Cranes migrating through. You can still view the salt flats with the observation deck open all year.

Fishing is only allowed seasonally from April 1 through October 15 in designated areas. Bonham Pond is only open during the fishing season.

Photo: Observation deck at the Selenite Crystal Dig Area, USFWS

10/10/2026

Get batty with us! 🦇

Next Saturday, October 17, from 10-11 join us to learn about bats and then explore a cave at the Cherokee City-County Library. This is a free activity and is open to all ages! Don't worry if you can't make it, the cave will be at the library the rest of October.

Photo: Get Batty design with three blue bats and a grey cave, USFWS

10/06/2026

Upcoming Trail and Auto Tour closures

Eagle Roost Trail (only open from the parking area to the photo blind), Hoot Owl Loop, and the Harold F. Miller Auto Tour will be closed for Conservation Deer Hunts on October 23-25, November: 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Then the Harold F. Miller Auto Tour will be closed on November 30- December 3rd for another Conservation Deer Hunt.

Photo: entrance of Eagle Roost Trail, USFWS

10/02/2026

Come see us tomorrow at the October Stroll with Salt Plains State Park!

We will be doing a build your own binoculars craft and bird scavenger hunt starting at 10 am inside the Cherokee City-County Library.

SATURDAY!!!!!!!