Rockhounding in Oklahoma
A treasure hunt for the whole family
Looking for an exciting adventure the whole family will dig? Imagine a summer day in search of treasure, where the time spent together creating memories and bonds is the greatest reward. Envision a quality day spent together on a trail or in a creek bed, with earthy scents and fresh air, warm sunshine, and the sweet sounds of nature in song, in search of geological wonder. Anticipation alone can be thrilling, but the moment of discovery absolutely rocks.
Rockhounding is the ultimate family bonding hobby. It is inexpensive, educational, promotes healthy activity with limited screen time, and helps young minds learn to respect and appreciate their natural world. It teaches kids patience and observation and can even help develop research and analytical skills. It’s a treasure hunt, an extraordinary outing and fun for the whole family.
Oklahoma has much to offer for rock and mineral enthusiasts, with a geological history that provides some unique opportunities for the hunt. The Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society (TRMS) has been the authority on the subject since 1958. Their mission “encourages interest in collecting rocks, minerals, fossils and artifacts and in sharing knowledge about the earth sciences.” Society member and publicity chair Martha Rongey says the best way to find places to search is to join the club.
“We identify places to go, and we go as a club. They tell you, this is what we’re looking for and what it looks like, because you can get out there and not know what you’re looking for,” she says.
Member Julia Allande added that the club can also gain access to areas that are not open to the public with the private landowners’ approval. Allande leads the TRMS’s Pebble Pups program, the Society’s children’s group. The program provides educational opportunities and field trips for kids, and badges and ribbons can be earned for participation.
“I would highly encourage people to find and join a club,” she says. “We see a lot of people asking where they could take their families.”
The Society will be presenting its annual Rock and Mineral Show on July 10-12 at the Exchange Center at Expo Square. The show hosts exhibitions, a free kid zone, demonstrations, vendors, a silent auction and more. Guests can talk with experts in the field and learn how to identify the treasures they find in the wild, and find inspiration in many ways to use their finds for crafts and displays. (More information can be found at trmsok.org).
In any case, new hobbyists beginning their rockhounding journey will benefit from doing a little homework before embarking on an adventure; it’s always a good practice.
Let’s Rock
Where to begin? Safety… and ethics, first. Always ensure that any rockhounding location is safe and approved as public. Allande advises that safety and ethical rules must be followed when rockhounding.
“Ethically, get permission first. Really and truly, you shouldn’t be picking up anything without permission,” she says. “Safety priorities are exceedingly high. Also, don’t be greedy. If you don’t have a use for it, don’t take it.”
Any outdoor adventure should always be taken with a leave-no-trace approach.
“Make sure you pick up your trash. If you dig a hole, fill it,” says Allande.
Make sure to know the rules and regulations of any location before you begin, and always respect the wildlife and plants that live there.
- Wear close-toed shoes.
- If you use a hammer, wear safety glasses.
- Use sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated.
- Take a first aid kit.
- Know the location and watch for hazards, including animals and insects that inhabit the area. Use caution when turning over stones.
- Use gloves to protect hands.
- Watch for loose earth areas to prevent falls.
- Stay away from traffic in roadside areas.
What tools do you need?
“You don’t need any excavating equipment,” says TRMS member and retired geologist Claude Bolze. “It really depends on what you’re looking for.”
In most cases, a simple set of tools might include, but not require:
- Backpack to carry a light load of tools and for any treasures found (or a small bucket)
- Ziploc bags to separate finds
- Small spade or shovel
- Hammer or rock hammer (with safety glasses)
- Flashlight
- Magnifying glass
- Ruler
- Water for rinsing stones or fossils
- UV flashlight for fluorescent stones
- Sifting screen or colander
Where in Oklahoma should you hunt?
What type of rock or mineral treasures appeal to you? Because the land in Oklahoma was covered by a shallow sea millions of years ago, fossils from this time can be found all over the state. Petrified wood and other types of fossils are plentiful, too. One-of-a-kind crystals can be found in Jet, and this specific type is not found anywhere else in the world. Rose Rock is obtainable in some areas around Oklahoma City, and Boley is known for Boley Agate.
Bolze recommends the book Roadside Geology of Oklahoma by Neil Suneson as an excellent reference guide to rockhounding in the state. Joining a rock and mineral club can also provide excellent sources of information on where to go and how to hunt. There are many groups on social media to follow for tips and insights on locations as well.
Rockhounding in Oklahoma can be exciting and, honestly, addictive. According to Bolze, it has benefits that far surpass the treasure hunt and family bonding time.
“We need problem solvers. By getting out and looking at rocks and using techniques that scientists use to solve problems, we learn that no matter what activity you’re in, you’re valuable,” he says. “All rocks have a story to tell, and it’s my responsibility as a geologist to tell their story.”
Oklahoma Rockhounding Locations
Great Salt Plains State Park, Jet
Selenite Crystals with an hourglass shape
Lake Stanley Draper, Oklahoma City
Rose Rocks (barite rose)
Lake Texoma, Ammonite Beach
Cretaceous fossils, including ammonite
Washita River
Permian-age fossils and jasper
Arkansas River, Sand Springs—Case Community Park
Petrified wood, fossils, agate, arrowheads
Ouachita Mountains
Quartz Crystals
Illinois River
Fossils
Boley
Boley Agate
Fort Gibson Lake (Blue Gill Point)
Fossils
Tulsa Rock and Mineral Show
July 10-12
Exchange Center at Expo Square
4145 E. 21st St., Tulsa
Rocks, Gems, Minerals, Fossils, Jewelry, Free Kid Zone, Demonstrations, Fluorescent Display, Collection Displays, Silent Auction
$7 Adults
$12 All show pass
Kids 12 and under are free with adult admission
Military and First Responders are free with ID
Scouts free in uniform
Macy Goodnight is a freelance writer and photographer from Broken Arrow. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and has an interest in studying history, gardening, hiking and traveling.
