The Great Salt Plain is just 17 miles east of Alva outside of Cherokee and is the only place in the world to find hourglass, selenite crystals. Visitors are welcome across the 11,000 acres of white salt flats. The Great Salt Plains Lake provides an area to boat, fish, and camp. There is also a National Wildlife Refuge which houses the Whooping Crane, Bald and Golden Eagles, the endangered Inland Least Tern, and many other bird and mammal species. While in Cherokee, also visit the Alfalfa County Museum.

Alabaster Caverns State Park, 20 miles west and 5 miles south of Alva, is the home of "Nature's Underground Wonderland." This 200 acre park offers the gorgeous and mysterious Alabaster Caverns, the world's largest commercially-operated gypsum cave. Visitors can walk underground through the caves, which are also the home to thousands of nocturnal bats, and take advantage of the gift shop and recreational activities. Freedom also has a museum, the Cimarron Cowboy Monument, and "Oklahoma's Outstanding Event for 1992," the annual Freedom Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion.

Little Sahara State Park, located 28 miles southwest of Alva outside of Waynoka, is where thousands of visitors come to "ride the dunes." These dunes are part of a 1,800 acre park that buzzes year round with off-road vehicles. Waynoka is also home to an annual Rattlesnake Hunt. It attracts nearly 6,000 visitors each year to try their luck at capturing a dangerous rattlesnake, look at the many craft stands, and try rattlesnake meat.