Broken Bow is quickly becoming one of the most visited areas in Oklahoma, and just 3 hours from DFW, it’s easy to see from all the Texas license plates that many Texans are heading North of the Red River to this Oklahoma playground! The reason why is easy, there is so much to do, and the area is beautiful! We stayed at Beavers Bend State Park for a weekend, one of two state parks in the area.
When you arrive at the Beavers Bend Main Entrance, there are some fun photo ops!
The state park offers cabins, tent camping and RV camping. You’ll need to check in at the office when you arrive, even if you’re just there for the day.
We were staying in one of the park cabins for the weekend. We arrived LATE Friday evening, and were able to get our keys with a lock box using a code they gave us when I called to tell them we were running late. If you think you’ll be running late, be sure to call and get your code!
They also sell firewood.
Did you know that transporting firewood also transports bugs, which can invade and kill the trees at your campsite. It’s a good rule to always buy firewood at your location, and never transport it! Click HERE to read more.
Inside the Main Entrance is the Forest Heritage Center Museum. It’s FREE and interesting!
We enjoyed learning about Harry Rossoll, the creator of Smokey the Bear.
In addition to information about the forestry industry, there are also numerous works of art, most local!
There is also a nice gift shop!
Beavers Bend State Park is huge! Take a few minutes to drive around and see it!
There is a restaurant and store. We really enjoyed the restaurant, which overlooks Mountain Fork River.
The view from the restaurant is beautiful.
Just upriver is the Broken Bow Reservoir dam release, and when a siren sounds, they are about to release water from the dam. Swimming and wading is not allowed here because of the large rush of water from the dam. Swimming, wading, kayaking is allowed upriver of the release.
Since the state park does allow pets at some of the cabins, we brought our sweet girl, Dublin, with us! She had a great time!
Dogs must remain on a 6′ leash at all times while in the park! You’re actually suppose to be holding the leash, but I wanted a good picture of her.
While in the cabin, we were provided with sheets to use to cover the furniture, and asked not to allow her on the furniture.
Our cabin was across from the Nature Center. A Park Ranger answered my many, many, many questions!
There are daily activities year round for kids and families! Be sure to get a schedule when you arrive!
We woke up and hiked the Beaver Creek Trail to the Main Entrance, a nice 2 mile hike on a cool morning!
The unique rocks are a common sight you’ll see around Broken Bow!
There are 5 trails at BBSP, but the most challenging is the Skyline Trail at about 12 miles. A challenging trail, it is for experienced hikers, but offers some amazing views! Be sure and take plenty of water. There is also a backpacking primitive campsite at Bee Creek if you want to make a 2-day hike out of it. When you finish, you can purchase a shirt at the Park Store stating that you survived the Skyline Trail.
Click HERE for more information on the Skyline Trail.
If you’re looking for a good trail for Mountain Bikes, check out the Choctaw Nation Trail in Hochatown State Park.
Early morning solitude on the river.
The reservoir is incredibly beautiful, with cold, clear water!
Beavers Bend State Park is only on the Mountain Fork River, and Hochatown State Park is on the lake. There are also many beautiful homes and cabins to rent on BB Reservoir, most are listed on Homeaway and VRBO. There are numerous rental companies.
Click HERE to take a look at some of the cabins in the area.
Beavers Bend Marina offers boat rentals, including house boats if you’re looking to do something a little different for the weekend! Click HERE to visit their website.
Fly fishing is HUGE in Broken Bow! We headed out to see the river! There were lots of people fishing!
The river is stocked by the state all year long, and because of the cold water, they are fishing all year long. There are guides you can hire to take you out, and they will provide equipment, license and teach you how to fly fish!
Click HERE to visit the Beavers Bend Fly Shop.
An Oklahoma fishing license is required to fish in Oklahoma State Parks (unlike Texas), unless you are from Texas and 65 or older, then they have a reciprocal program.
This is my favorite part of Beavers Bend! It’s absolutely beautiful!
So, I took lots of pictures.
There were plenty of dogs here, but thankfully all were kept on a leash. Our Dublin, a border collie/husky mix, doesn’t really like the water, but keep an eye on water-lovin’ dogs, as it’s really swift and powerful!
The perfect place to bring a book for a quiet afternoon!
We stayed and watched people fishing, and made plans for a big fishing trip this fall!
Beavers Bend is located in the Kiamichi Mountains.
As our stomach’s started to rumble, we headed into Hochatown to get something to eat.
Since we had our dog, we were a little limited in where we could go. Luckily, the Cornbread Trading Company loves dogs, too!
We had lunch at the Grateful Dead Pizza, which is amazing! They had a big, shaded porch, and it is dog friendly! Click HERE to visit their website.
Across the street is Girls Gone Wine, a fun, local winery! I had kids and dog, so we didn’t go this trip, but I can tell you from experience that it’s worth a visit! Click HERE to visit their website.
We stopped off to take a walk along the dam, and take some fun pictures!
But what we wanted to do was get out on the water!
Upriver of the dam, people were swimming, paddling and having a great time!
My daughter loves to paddleboard, and Dublin likes to make her happy!
We paddled up as far as we could go, then she decided to ride with my son for a while!
Our youngest doesn’t stay on the boat long enough for Dublin, he’d always rather be in the water than on it!
Afterwards, we swam and played on the beach!
We ended our day with a little fishing before heading back to cook some steaks on the grill and sit around our campfire. It was really a terrific day!
I purchased our steaks from Mountain Man Meat Market in Broken Bow. Click HERE to visit their website.
There isn’t a grocery store in Hochatown, and it’s about a 15 minute drive from the State Park to the Walmart in Broken Bow.
If you want to tent camp, there are several sites upriver from the dam, where the water is low enough to play. I really like the sites along the river where kayaking and swimming is allowed. Further up, there are also sites along the river that is only accessible to those fishing, so be sure you know what you want to do when you make your reservations.
More to do in Broken Bow
The park also has a train, horseback rides and much more, all that we couldn’t do with a dog.
Click HERE for information on the Beavers Bend Mining Company.
The other MUST-DO is the Broken Bow Duck Tour! Again, not dog friendly, but SO much fun! Click HERE to visit their website.
Broken Bow is just south of the Ouachita National Forest, with plenty of hiking, camping and more! It is also the OK trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreational Trail, a 120+ mile thru-backpacking trail into Arkansas! Click HERE for more information.
More than likely, you’ll drive through Idabell on your way to Broken Bow. Visit the Museum of the Red River, which is FREE and has an interesting dinosaur exhibit. Click HERE for more information.
Beavers Bend State Park
4350 S State Hwy Oklahoma 259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
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