Mountain Hideaway Broken Bow Guidebook
Sightseeing
Beavers Bend State Park is a 3,482 acres Oklahoma state park located in McCurtain County. It is approximately 10.5 miles north of Broken Bow on SH-259A. It was established in 1937 and contains Broken Bow Lake.
Beavers Bend State Park offers a variety of individual and group activities. Eagle watches are available from November through February. Trout fishing, fly fishing clinics, guided horseback rides, and hayrides throughout the park are other activities offered at Beavers Bend.
A year-round naturalist and a well-stocked nature center make possible a program lineup that includes campfire programs on the banks of the Mountain Fork River, nature hikes, arts and crafts classes, water sports, bingo, sunset hikes, nature films, and astronomy outings. 14,000 acre Broken Bow Lake is also a favorite of scuba divers. Other park diversions include golfing, miniature golf, archery, tennis, jet skiing, bumper boat rides, boating, and canoeing.
The David L. Boren Trail offers 16 miles of hiking trails with 4 miles of multi-purpose trails that wander along ridge tops, over creek bottoms, through tall stands of timber, and into areas so remote one can almost experience what early-day explorers must have felt upon seeing the Ouachita National Forest for the first time. The same trail can also be divided into a variety of short and long hikes for those not wishing to make the entire trek.
Heads up, to help fund a backlog of deferred maintenance and park improvements, the state implemented an entrance fee for this park and 21 others effective June 15, 2020. The fees, charged per vehicle, start at $10 per day for a single-day or $8 for residents with an Oklahoma license plate or Oklahoma tribal plate. Fees are waived for honorably discharged veterans and Oklahoma residents age 62 & older and their spouses. Passes good for three days or a week are also available; annual passes good at all 22 state parks charging fees are offered at a cost of $75 for out-of-state visitors or $60 for Oklahoma residents.
Built on the site of an old Choctaw settlement, Beavers Bend State Park was named after John T. Beavers, a Choctaw intermarried citizen. The "bend" in the park's name refers to an area of the park where a portion of Mountain Fork River meanders sharply, making an almost 180-degree turn. This area is commonly known as the River Bend, and is a popular area for trout fishing, canoe rentals, and swimming. Also in the River Bend area is the Broken Bow Hydroelectric Plant, which generates energy from the waters of Broken Bow Lake.
Visitors to the Forest Heritage Center's museum will find historical documents, antique forestry tools, wood art, homestead memorabilia, and a research library filled with books, periodicals, and other materials pertaining to forestry, the primary industry of the area.
The Center is also home to 14 dioramas (painted by Harry Rossoll of Atlanta, Georgia, the artist who created Smokey Bear) that cover prehistoric forests, Caddo Indians, Papermaking in the South, 1940s lumbering, and forest appreciation. Each diorama is accompanied by a taped narration. In June 2003 an eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture was unveiled, honoring the memory of Jim Burnett and all people who risk their lives fighting wildland fires each year. Burnett was the first forest firefighter from Oklahoma to lose his life in the line of duty and one of the many firefighters dispatched by the state of Oklahoma to battle an outbreak of wildfires in Wyoming during the summer of 2000. Burnett lost his life on August 11, 2000 fighting the Kate's Basin Fire near Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Each year some 60 million cubic feet (1,700,000 m3) of lumber is harvested in McCurtain County. The forest industry is the area's largest business concern, and great care is taken to ensure the prolonged health of local pine and hardwood forests.
The local rock formations are some of the most distinctive in the state of Oklahoma. Just north of Broken Bow, sedimentary rock has been thrust upward due to an ancient collision of the North American and South American Plates, forming what is now the Ouachita Mountains. Evidence of what is called the Ouachita orogeny can be seen all over the park, where some layers of rock can be seen tilted up at angles of about sixty-degrees. These geologic features can be easily viewed around Broken Bow Lake and Mountain Fork River, where erosion has left much of the rock exposed. The unique geology of the area inspires frequent field trips by geology students from numerous colleges and universities.
Beavers Bend
Beavers Bend State Park is a 3,482 acres Oklahoma state park located in McCurtain County. It is approximately 10.5 miles north of Broken Bow on SH-259A. It was established in 1937 and contains Broken Bow Lake.
Beavers Bend State Park offers a variety of individual and group activities. Eagle watches are available from November through February. Trout fishing, fly fishing clinics, guided horseback rides, and hayrides throughout the park are other activities offered at Beavers Bend.
A year-round naturalist and a well-stocked nature center make possible a program lineup that includes campfire programs on the banks of the Mountain Fork River, nature hikes, arts and crafts classes, water sports, bingo, sunset hikes, nature films, and astronomy outings. 14,000 acre Broken Bow Lake is also a favorite of scuba divers. Other park diversions include golfing, miniature golf, archery, tennis, jet skiing, bumper boat rides, boating, and canoeing.
The David L. Boren Trail offers 16 miles of hiking trails with 4 miles of multi-purpose trails that wander along ridge tops, over creek bottoms, through tall stands of timber, and into areas so remote one can almost experience what early-day explorers must have felt upon seeing the Ouachita National Forest for the first time. The same trail can also be divided into a variety of short and long hikes for those not wishing to make the entire trek.
Heads up, to help fund a backlog of deferred maintenance and park improvements, the state implemented an entrance fee for this park and 21 others effective June 15, 2020. The fees, charged per vehicle, start at $10 per day for a single-day or $8 for residents with an Oklahoma license plate or Oklahoma tribal plate. Fees are waived for honorably discharged veterans and Oklahoma residents age 62 & older and their spouses. Passes good for three days or a week are also available; annual passes good at all 22 state parks charging fees are offered at a cost of $75 for out-of-state visitors or $60 for Oklahoma residents.
Built on the site of an old Choctaw settlement, Beavers Bend State Park was named after John T. Beavers, a Choctaw intermarried citizen. The "bend" in the park's name refers to an area of the park where a portion of Mountain Fork River meanders sharply, making an almost 180-degree turn. This area is commonly known as the River Bend, and is a popular area for trout fishing, canoe rentals, and swimming. Also in the River Bend area is the Broken Bow Hydroelectric Plant, which generates energy from the waters of Broken Bow Lake.
Visitors to the Forest Heritage Center's museum will find historical documents, antique forestry tools, wood art, homestead memorabilia, and a research library filled with books, periodicals, and other materials pertaining to forestry, the primary industry of the area.
The Center is also home to 14 dioramas (painted by Harry Rossoll of Atlanta, Georgia, the artist who created Smokey Bear) that cover prehistoric forests, Caddo Indians, Papermaking in the South, 1940s lumbering, and forest appreciation. Each diorama is accompanied by a taped narration. In June 2003 an eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture was unveiled, honoring the memory of Jim Burnett and all people who risk their lives fighting wildland fires each year. Burnett was the first forest firefighter from Oklahoma to lose his life in the line of duty and one of the many firefighters dispatched by the state of Oklahoma to battle an outbreak of wildfires in Wyoming during the summer of 2000. Burnett lost his life on August 11, 2000 fighting the Kate's Basin Fire near Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Each year some 60 million cubic feet (1,700,000 m3) of lumber is harvested in McCurtain County. The forest industry is the area's largest business concern, and great care is taken to ensure the prolonged health of local pine and hardwood forests.
The local rock formations are some of the most distinctive in the state of Oklahoma. Just north of Broken Bow, sedimentary rock has been thrust upward due to an ancient collision of the North American and South American Plates, forming what is now the Ouachita Mountains. Evidence of what is called the Ouachita orogeny can be seen all over the park, where some layers of rock can be seen tilted up at angles of about sixty-degrees. These geologic features can be easily viewed around Broken Bow Lake and Mountain Fork River, where erosion has left much of the rock exposed. The unique geology of the area inspires frequent field trips by geology students from numerous colleges and universities.
Broken Bow Lake is a reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma, located on Mountain Fork River and 9 miles northeast of the town of Broken Bow in McCurtain County. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes within the state of Oklahoma, and a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from neighboring Texas and Arkansas.
The lake stretches 22 miles back into the Ouachita Mountain country where its unusual beauty and scenic appeal beckons all sorts of nature enthusiasts. The mountain terrain is densely forested and there are many species of birds native to the area for birdwatchers to enjoy.
Hikers may enjoy two available nature trails; the Big Oak Nature Trail and the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail. The Big Oak trail is about a quarter of a mile long and is suitable for use by senior citizens and small children. The rugged and beautiful Beaver Lodge Nature Trail is a two-way trail located near the River Bend area south of the dam and winds along a clear stream through a valley surrounded by pine-covered hills.
Numerous park areas located around the lake gives visitors an excellent opportunity for outdoor family fun and relaxation. Recreational facilities include boat launching ramps, camping, picnic sites, beaches, water and sanitary facilities. There are two Oklahoma state parks nearby Broken Bow Lake; Beavers Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park. Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend is another attraction close to the lake.
The climate at Broken Bow Lake offers outdoor sportsmen excellent opportunities for year-round angling, with various species of trout and bass available.
Hunting on project lands is equally good for hunting enthusiasts, and with the exception of developed areas and certain Game Preserves, all project lands are open to the public for hunting. Deer are the most important big game species found in the area, though wild turkey and other sport can be found in this area.
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Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake is a reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma, located on Mountain Fork River and 9 miles northeast of the town of Broken Bow in McCurtain County. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes within the state of Oklahoma, and a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from neighboring Texas and Arkansas.
The lake stretches 22 miles back into the Ouachita Mountain country where its unusual beauty and scenic appeal beckons all sorts of nature enthusiasts. The mountain terrain is densely forested and there are many species of birds native to the area for birdwatchers to enjoy.
Hikers may enjoy two available nature trails; the Big Oak Nature Trail and the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail. The Big Oak trail is about a quarter of a mile long and is suitable for use by senior citizens and small children. The rugged and beautiful Beaver Lodge Nature Trail is a two-way trail located near the River Bend area south of the dam and winds along a clear stream through a valley surrounded by pine-covered hills.
Numerous park areas located around the lake gives visitors an excellent opportunity for outdoor family fun and relaxation. Recreational facilities include boat launching ramps, camping, picnic sites, beaches, water and sanitary facilities. There are two Oklahoma state parks nearby Broken Bow Lake; Beavers Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park. Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend is another attraction close to the lake.
The climate at Broken Bow Lake offers outdoor sportsmen excellent opportunities for year-round angling, with various species of trout and bass available.
Hunting on project lands is equally good for hunting enthusiasts, and with the exception of developed areas and certain Game Preserves, all project lands are open to the public for hunting. Deer are the most important big game species found in the area, though wild turkey and other sport can be found in this area.
City/town information
Located north of the town of Broken Bow, Hochatown is the gateway city for Broken Bow Lake, Beaver Bend State Park, and all the fun that goes with it.
Not only can you enjoy wine and beer tastings at numerous award-winning wineries and breweries, but you can also enjoy live music and an array of delicious dining options. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities around Hochatown including the petting zoo, miniature golf, go-carts, the maze, ziplining, horseback riding, kayaking and canoeing, hiking and exploring, etc.
Hochatown in Oklahoma is a stress-free city that rests under the shadow of Broken Bow Lake, which was created when many surrounding small towns like Hochatown were flooded by the damming of the Mountain Fork River.
The city is considered part of Little Dixie — so named because of the large number of Southerners who moved to it after the Civil War.
Like Broken Bow, Hochatown's history of growth and prosperity starts with the Choctaw Lumber Company.
Founded in the 1880's by a dozen Choctaw families, it wasn't until 1894 that Hochatown officially achieved post office status, but this brought about steady growth throughout most of the 20th century as Hochatown turned into a bustling city.
During the 1920s and 1930s, prime lumber supply dwindled and the lumber company moved to other local areas. Meanwhile, the community became noted for its moonshine production. The town's heyday soon passed, however. The post office shut down in 1963 and the last family left the site in 1966. As they began to build the lake, the cemetery and town church were moved to higher ground while all other buildings were destroyed. That area is now covered by 200+ feet of water. The town was rebuilt at its current location. The second incarnation of Hochatown is located approximately one mile west of Broken Bow Lake on U.S. Route 259. Its economy is based on tourism. In addition to Broken Bow Lake, the area includes Beavers Bend Resort Park, Hochatown State Park, and Cedar Creek Golf Course. Hunters also visit the region, which bills itself as the "deer capital of the world."
If you’re looking for fun things to do, look no further!
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Hochatown
Located north of the town of Broken Bow, Hochatown is the gateway city for Broken Bow Lake, Beaver Bend State Park, and all the fun that goes with it.
Not only can you enjoy wine and beer tastings at numerous award-winning wineries and breweries, but you can also enjoy live music and an array of delicious dining options. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities around Hochatown including the petting zoo, miniature golf, go-carts, the maze, ziplining, horseback riding, kayaking and canoeing, hiking and exploring, etc.
Hochatown in Oklahoma is a stress-free city that rests under the shadow of Broken Bow Lake, which was created when many surrounding small towns like Hochatown were flooded by the damming of the Mountain Fork River.
The city is considered part of Little Dixie — so named because of the large number of Southerners who moved to it after the Civil War.
Like Broken Bow, Hochatown's history of growth and prosperity starts with the Choctaw Lumber Company.
Founded in the 1880's by a dozen Choctaw families, it wasn't until 1894 that Hochatown officially achieved post office status, but this brought about steady growth throughout most of the 20th century as Hochatown turned into a bustling city.
During the 1920s and 1930s, prime lumber supply dwindled and the lumber company moved to other local areas. Meanwhile, the community became noted for its moonshine production. The town's heyday soon passed, however. The post office shut down in 1963 and the last family left the site in 1966. As they began to build the lake, the cemetery and town church were moved to higher ground while all other buildings were destroyed. That area is now covered by 200+ feet of water. The town was rebuilt at its current location. The second incarnation of Hochatown is located approximately one mile west of Broken Bow Lake on U.S. Route 259. Its economy is based on tourism. In addition to Broken Bow Lake, the area includes Beavers Bend Resort Park, Hochatown State Park, and Cedar Creek Golf Course. Hunters also visit the region, which bills itself as the "deer capital of the world."
If you’re looking for fun things to do, look no further!
Food scene
Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room
10251 US-259Good food, cold beer...
The Tasting Room, a mixed Beverage Bar featuring Mountain Fork Brewery's beer and Hochatown Distilling Company's spirits.
So if you're remotely interested in bourbon or whiskey of any sort, then you'll likely want to take a tour of their distillery where experts will teach you all about what their company offers and how they produce them.
You can even book tours online so they'll be sure to have enough staff on hand when you arrive.
Once the tour is over, spend time checking out their gift shop and have a seat at their sit-down bar area to order exactly what you've been dying to try!
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The Tasting Room
37 Lukfata TrailThe Tasting Room, a mixed Beverage Bar featuring Mountain Fork Brewery's beer and Hochatown Distilling Company's spirits.
So if you're remotely interested in bourbon or whiskey of any sort, then you'll likely want to take a tour of their distillery where experts will teach you all about what their company offers and how they produce them.
You can even book tours online so they'll be sure to have enough staff on hand when you arrive.
Once the tour is over, spend time checking out their gift shop and have a seat at their sit-down bar area to order exactly what you've been dying to try!
The best place in town....
Abendigo’s is the go-to for date night in this area. They have a large dining room with low lighting and slightly private booths that set the mood for any couple looking for a night together.
Abendigo’s also offers a large outdoor patio. There is a patio bar as well as live music almost every weekend.
Before you are seated, make sure to take a look in the gift shop here. They offer higher end gifts such as jewelry and handmade soaps, but they also offer your usual t-shirts, key chains, and more. In the gift shop, they also offer a small coffee shop.
100 polecane przez mieszkańców
Abendigo's
10050 N US Hwy 259The best place in town....
Abendigo’s is the go-to for date night in this area. They have a large dining room with low lighting and slightly private booths that set the mood for any couple looking for a night together.
Abendigo’s also offers a large outdoor patio. There is a patio bar as well as live music almost every weekend.
Before you are seated, make sure to take a look in the gift shop here. They offer higher end gifts such as jewelry and handmade soaps, but they also offer your usual t-shirts, key chains, and more. In the gift shop, they also offer a small coffee shop.
Shuck Me is a great option for seafood lovers. The menu has the best crab you can find off the coast, lobster bisque, oysters, shrimp dishes, frog legs, crawfish, jambalaya, and more. They have a great mix of fried and lighter options.
Shuck Me also offers burgers and chicken dishes for guests that do not like seafood.
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Shuck Me Hochatown
83 Lukfata TrailShuck Me is a great option for seafood lovers. The menu has the best crab you can find off the coast, lobster bisque, oysters, shrimp dishes, frog legs, crawfish, jambalaya, and more. They have a great mix of fried and lighter options.
Shuck Me also offers burgers and chicken dishes for guests that do not like seafood.