Explore Alva

09/05/2026

The Big Cruise & Car Show is one of Alva’s biggest events of the year and it’s right around the corner, happening September 18-20! Go follow their page for the latest updates and schedule of events! This chalk art contest is just ONE of the fun things to participate in!

09/01/2026

The Cherokee Strip Museum is a great reason to Explore Alva! When was the last time you visited our haunted museum?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1dKd5fHYdy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Mysterious lights and shadows haunt this museum, a former hospital with ghostly tales. Link in comments to find out more. ⬇️

08/13/2026

Northwest Oklahoma has the BEST views!

08/08/2026

Looking for something to do today! Check out Alva’s brand new Salt Fork Event Center!

Today’s schedule of events! FREE admission for the trade show, barrel race, and pony race.

Come on out for some shopping, good food, and fast horses! 🤎

07/23/2026

Something new and fun to do in Alva!

Week 5 is in the books. The heat could not stop this weeks winners. We had 13 people out there playing disc golf this week. The winners this week were

Daniel Riojas- $30
Drake Bendabout- $19
Topher Nguyen- $13
Jeff Simon- $4

Daniel also hot the free disc from Bendabout discgolf for CTP (closest to the pin) on hole two.

No ace was hit last night that means the potential ace pot for week six will be $100 or more. We have enjoyed playing disc golf here in Alva. So if you wanna join us we will be out there next Tuesday at 6:30. Hope to see you then!!!

05/07/2026

Right in our back yard is Alabaster Caverns State Park. When’s the last time you’ve been? Check out this fun info from Road Trip Queen and put it on your bucket list for this summer!

04/10/2026

Just east of Alva in Alfalfa County, you can visit the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and watch all kinds of wildlife.

We have eagle chicks! 🦅

Recently, we were able to confirm two Bald Eagle chicks in one nest. We are still monitoring the other two active nests. These eagles are still very sensitive to human disturbance. Please be mindful and do not harass or disturb them. Young eagles are called eaglets. Eaglets will stay in the nest for about 10-14 weeks until they learn to fly.

Photo: Two Bald Eagle chicks, Matthew Cloyd

04/07/2026

Whooping Cranes overwinter on refuge for the first time!

This past winter, volunteers and community scientists noticed something never recorded in whooping cranes. Eight of these endangered birds stayed in Oklahoma all winter long here instead of heading south to the Texas coast. These cranes stayed through snow and freezing temperatures before heading to Canada.

This species was close to disappearing in 1941, when only 16 whooping cranes were counted at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks to decades of conservation work, habitat protection, and partnerships across the Central Great Plains, the wild population is now more than 550 individuals.

Read the full story to learn more about one of North America’s rarest birds: fws.gov/story/2026-04/whooping-cranes-winter-oklahoma

Photo: Three whooping cranes in flight, taken by and copyrighted by Michael Forsberg

04/03/2026

Located just 30 minutes East of Alva!

Crystal Digging Season open now!

View the unique 11,200-acre salt flats and collect your own free selenite crystal during the annual Crystal Digging Season, open from April 1 to October 15. The gate to the Dig Area is closed the rest of the year to protect endangered Whooping Cranes, as they migrate through the refuge.

Access to the salt flats is only allowed from sunrise to sunset and in the designated Dig Area. To visit, drive to the Selenite Crystal Digging Area located at: 66003 Garvin Road, Cherokee, OK 73728. Once inside the gate, drive about a mile on the marked road, and park in front of the orange “Dig Area” signs.

Visitors are allowed to collect up to 10 pounds of individual crystals and one large cluster for their personal use. Drones are not allowed on the Refuge. Pets are welcome but must be kept on leash.

Make sure to bring: a shovel to dig, protection from the sun (sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen) and enough water to drink, rinse crystals and clean yourself after digging. There is a restroom available inside the gate at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area.

Photo: Visitor holding selenite crystal from Dig Area next to Dig Area sign, USFWS