Broken Bow, Oklahoma, keeps popping up in conversation. It seems to be gaining popularity with south Louisiana families looking for a change of scenery within a day’s drive. The city has a lot to offer, whether visitors are looking to stay in a yurt or at a full-service resort, take a stroll along the river or see a rhinoceros, sip wine or taste whiskey.
The real draw to the area is Beavers Bend State Park. Situated in the Ouachita Mountains, the park sports lush pine and hardwood forests, nestled between the Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake.
The lake is actually a man-made reservoir with construction completed in 1970. Driving north over Beavers Bend Dam, to the left, there are views of the sprawling lake peppered with islands and boats. To the right, there is a forest valley far below the level of the opposing side’s lake.
Surprisingly, despite all this talk of trees and dams, Beavers Bend State Park is not named after a bark-nibbling rodent but rather an early Choctaw settler, John Beavers, who owned portions of the land around the time of the park’s development.
A family gathers by the fire outside their AirBnB in Broken Bow, Okla.
Tourists and locals alike take full advantage of the lake and river. Broken Bow Lake is 22 miles long, containing several islands and boasting 180 miles of shoreline. Local recreational facilities offer guided fishing trips and lake tours (with choice of pontoon or tiki boat), as well as jet ski, paddleboat, kayak and canoe rentals.
Enjoying a dip at Steven’s Gap swim beach or wading through the more shallow parts of the river at Mountain Fork Park is a great way to beat the heat. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation maintains catch-and-release trophy fishing areas that are stocked year-round with trout, so fly fishermen can fling their strings with high hopes of catching a record-breaking rainbow trout.
But there’s plenty to do on land if water’s not your thing.
Exploring the park’s hiking trails is a popular pick. Friends Trail is a moderate intensity trek, half of which follows the Mountain Fork River as it cascades downhill.
Cousins play in the backyard creek of an AirBnB in Broken Bow, Okla.
The wildflowers along the edge of the forest provide pops of color, while down closer to the water, erosion has revealed fascinating rock formations. Sheets of shale are divided and cross-hatched by milky veins of quartz. Slabs of stone tilt upward at a 60-degree angle. Occasionally, the layers of sediment have been forced into absurd curves and bends in the rock.
Tree Trail is an easier loop that crosses through blue-gray slate along streams, over wooden foot bridges and through the forest. The trail is dotted with informational signs that describe some of the natural features and history of the area. The entrance to Tree Trail is just outside the Oklahoma Forest Heritage Center, which is a good first stop when visiting the park.
Driving through the park is free, but those planning to stay must purchase a parking pass. After buying a parking pass, pick up souvenirs at the gift shop and browse the free museum exhibitions.
Dioramas painted by Harry Roussel, one of the creators of the iconic Smokey Bear, tell the history of forestry in the region. The Wood Art Collection displays the works of many talented woodturning and wood carving artist.
When little feet are tired of hiking, Broken Bow offers lots of kid-friendly attractions. Catch a one-third scale train ride at Beaver’s Bend Depot and Stables. One lucky kid per train ride wins a bag of cotton candy if the conductor pulls their ticket number from a hat.
A child fishing on the banks of Broken Bow Lake in Broken Bow, Okla.
Little ones can take a ride on one of the pint-sized (and patient) ponies. Bigger kids and grown-ups can take a guided trail ride on the bigger horses through the woods.
Back outside the state park, Rhonnie the Rhino is on display at Beavers Bend Safari Park. Kids can sift for gems at Beaver’s Bend Mining Co. Big kids who are brave enough can zip-line over Broken Bow Lake with Rougarou Adventures.
Where to stay
Beavers Bend State Park accommodations include the Beavers Bend Lodge, where every room has a view of Broken Bow Lake, cabins of various sizes, campsites for tents and RVs and two yurts (named “Happy Hearth” and “Bear Tracks”).
Mountain Fork Park in Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, Okla.
Choctaw Landing Casino & Resort has multiple amenities on-site, including a swimming pool, bars, restaurants, deli, convenience store, and, as one of their billboards touts, “the only Starbucks in 70 miles.”
There is a vacation rental boom in Broken Bow with luxury cabins of every shape and size. Airbnb listings offer a multitude of features such as fully outfitted game rooms, backyard saunas, pickleball courts, elaborate play sets and more.
Places to eat and drink
Spending time at Mountain Fork Brewery comes easily. From brick oven pizza to craft beer from the tap room, it’s pure comfort food. There is often live music, and the kids can play on the fenced-in play structure while parents look on from the ample outdoor seating. Worth noting, they have “the good ranch” in dispensers where other restaurants would offer ketchup.
Pressa Italia is a beautiful restaurant and wine bar that feels chic without being fussy. This would be the perfect spot to celebrate an anniversary by clinking glasses over their classic Italian dishes.
Naaman’s Premium BBQ and Prime Steaks, originally from Texarkana, Texas, serves up barbecue plates with an array of sauces and sides to choose from. Don’t miss the fall-off-the-bone ribs. There’s also a location in Bossier City.
This backyard creek behind an AirBnB in Broken Bow, Okla. makes for a great spot for families to wander and relax.
Hochatown Distilling is a fun excursion for those interested in touring the distillery and tasting locally crafted whiskey and spirits.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
