Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park Cabins
Rustic and modern state park cabins in the pines at Beavers Bend, minutes from Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River
- Lodging
- Ages 1+
- Overnight
- Paid
Adventures in Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow is southeastern Oklahoma’s outdoor capital, and it’s one of the best family adventure destinations in the region. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River, the area packs an impressive range of kid-friendly activities into a compact area - from trout fishing and kayaking to aerial adventures and forest hiking.
Why Families Love Broken Bow
The Mountain Fork River is the centerpiece for family fun. Cold, clear water released from the Broken Bow Dam creates year-round trout fishing conditions that are rare this far south - kids can cast from the bank at spots like Evening Hole and pull in rainbow and brown trout without a boat. The river is also perfect for family kayaking and tubing, with gentle sections suitable for beginners and more adventurous stretches for older kids.
Beavers Bend State Park anchors the area with camping, hiking trails through towering pine forests, a nature center, and lake access. The park’s Forest Heritage Center teaches kids about the region’s logging history and Choctaw heritage through hands-on exhibits. The nearby Broken Bow Lake offers swimming beaches, boat rentals, and some of the clearest water in Oklahoma.
Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Settle into your cabin or campsite, then head to the Mountain Fork River for an afternoon of fishing or wading. Evening Hole is a great starting point - it’s beginner-friendly and easily accessible. End the day with dinner in town.
Day 2: Spend the morning hiking in Beavers Bend State Park - the Cedar Bluff Trail offers scenic views without being too strenuous for kids. Afternoon: kayak or canoe on Broken Bow Lake, or try the aerial adventure course if your kids are thrill-seekers.
Day 3: Visit the Forest Heritage Center, then hit the river one more time before heading home.
Getting There
Broken Bow is about 3.5 hours from Dallas and 3 hours from Oklahoma City. The drive is scenic, especially the final stretch through the Kiamichi Mountains. Stock up on groceries in town before heading to your cabin - some rental properties are remote.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal - mild temperatures, excellent fishing, and beautiful fall foliage in October-November. Summer is popular but hot and humid. Winter is quiet and great for trout fishing - the cold water means fish are especially active.
25 adventures found
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow and Hochatown RV Parks
Private full-hookup RV parks along the Highway 259 corridor near Beavers Bend, plus the hookup loops inside the state park
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Treehouse and Glamping Stays
Treehouses, A-frames, geodesic domes and canvas glamping tents scattered through the woods around Hochatown and Broken Bow Lake
- Lodging
- Ages 4+
- Overnight
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Forest Heritage Center Museum
Free forestry museum inside Beavers Bend State Park with wall murals, logging tools, and dioramas for a rained-out cabin day.
- Museum
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
Hochatown Cabin Rentals
The private cabin market around Hochatown and Beavers Bend, where hot tubs, bunk rooms, game rooms and fire pits are the family standard
- Lodging
- Ages 1+
- Overnight
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
Easy 0.8-mile river-view loop across from Dogwood Campground in Beavers Bend State Park - one of Broken Bow's best quick family hikes
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~0.5h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
The Maze of Hochatown
Giant 29,000 sq ft wooden maze in Hochatown near Broken Bow - tickets sold at the gate, with checkpoint towers and stamp collecting kids love
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
Easy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
Beaver's Bend Mining Company
Gem mining sluice and dinosaur mini golf in Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides
Miniature train rides and guided horseback rides through the Ouachita pines. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Marina
Pontoon and boat rentals on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Easy going.
- Kayaking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Safari Park
Drive-through and walk-through safari with 350+ exotic animals near Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park
Oklahoma's premier family state park with trails and river access in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park Campgrounds
Family campgrounds along the Mountain Fork River in Beavers Bend State Park. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Lake
Crystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. Works from toddler age.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Lake Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.
- Paddleboarding
- Ages 6+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
David Boren Hiking Trail
Premier 12-mile trail system with lake views and flexible routes in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.
- Hiking
- Ages 6+
- ~3h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
Evening Hole Fishing Area
Popular family fishing pier on the Mountain Fork River with trout and bass. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.
- Fishing
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Friends Trail Loop
Popular 1.5-mile family loop with a river waterfall in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
Broken Bow, OK
Hochatown Petting Zoo
Rescue-based petting zoo with barnyard animals and exotics in Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Mountain Fork River Kayaking
Kayak and canoe rentals on the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River near Beavers Bend. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. About two hours.
- Kayaking
- Ages 5+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Mountain Fork River Tubing
Gentle family river float through the Ouachita Mountains on the Mountain Fork River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.
- Tubing
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Outlaw's Guided Adventures
Guided off-road UTV trail rides through 75+ miles of Ouachita Mountain trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Riverman Trail Rides
Guided horseback riding through the Ouachita Mountains overlooking the Glover River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Paid
Broken Bow, OK
Rugaru Adventures
Top-rated six-line forest canopy zipline tour in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Better for ages 7 and up. About two hours.
- Aerial Adventure
- Ages 7+
- ~2h
- Paid