Tucked away in Southeastern Oklahoma lies the summer getaway of your dreams! A McCurtain County gem, Broken Bow is the Oklahoma town that you will be talking about (and visiting) for years to come.
Spend your days here enjoying all that this charming place has to offer, from action-packed adventures on an ATV to relaxed afternoons of downtown shopping. Broken Bow has it all! And since this is bound to be the place that earns the title of your annual family vacation, you might as well find a place to stay that feels like home.
Lucky for you, Broken Bow has a variety of adorable cabin rentals – perfect for every type of getaway! Cozy up in a romantic cabin with your special someone, relax in the hot tub after a day of adventure, or embrace the joy of a big family get-together.
Let’s take a look at Broken Bow during the summer, from golfing to off-road adventures!
About Summer in Broken Bow
While there is never really a bad time to visit Broken Bow, there is no denying that the summer season has the most to offer. A nature lover’s paradise, the Broken Bow area is filled with recreational opportunities and outdoor adventures.
Admire the blanket of greenery that covers the already spectacular Ouachita Mountains, and listen to the peaceful sounds of the creek as you hike, ride, and kayak your way around Broken Bow. You might even score a creekside vacation cabin so you can take the lovely sounds of nature home with you!
Summer Activities in Broken Bow
Recreate in Beavers Bend State Park
- Address: 4350 OK-259A, Broken Bow, OK
- Website: travelok.com/state-parks/beavers-bend-state-park
With so many different things to do in Beavers Bend State Park, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one activity, so why not try a bit of everything? Just a drive through the park alone will take you through a breathtaking forest with towering mountains and around the shores of the state park’s main attraction, Broken Bow Lake.
Once you arrive at the lake, the adventure begins! Let the picturesque lake draw you to the Beavers Bend Marina, where boat rentals make it easy to get out on the clear water. Whether you are into the relaxation of canoeing or the thrill of waterskiing, the marina has something for you!
Not into watersports? Hop on one of the many hiking trails to admire some of the lake’s 180 miles of shoreline, or find your way to one of the park’s magical waterfalls.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! The Cedar Creek Golf Course in Broken Bow State Park attracts golfers from wide and far. Play a round on the course’s extraordinary greens and finish the day strong with a delicious dinner at the Beavers Bend Lodge.
Kayak Down the Lower Mountain Fork River
As if the sounds of the rumbling river and the view of the wide-sweeping Kiamichi Mountains weren’t enough to put you in a state of natural beauty bliss, a kayaking trip down the Lower Mountain Fork River is sure to make you fall in love with the outdoors.
With Class I and Class II rapids, this river is perfect for beginners, and Broken Bow’s countless guide companies are equipped to get you out on the water in no time!
Some Guide Companies Include:
Dine and Dance at the Hochatown Saloon
- Address: 28 Old Hochatown Rd, Hochatown, OK
- Website: hochatownsaloon.com
A visit to the Hochatown Saloon isn’t just your average dining experience. One minute, you’re sitting at a table enjoying deep-fried catfish, and the next minute, you are on the dance floor, getting your groove on with the locals.
Just know that if you want to dance, Friday and Saturday are the nights for you! Check out the Hochatown Saloon event calendar and buy your tickets in advance because this is a hoedown you don’t want to miss!
While you are in Hochatown be sure to also check out some other fun activities like the Hochatown Escape Games and the Hochatown Petting Zoo!
Go Horseback Riding Through the River Valley
- Address: 1735 Pne Vw Rd, Broken Bow, OK
- Website: rivermantrailrides.com/horseback-riding
A classic summer vacation activity, Riverman Trail Rides is one of the best horseback riding companies in the business! Offering one and two hour rides through the picturesque river valley, you will hop off your horse with a new appreciation for the outdoors.
Looking to impress your significant other? Riverman Trails offers Sweetheart Rides for couples that end with wine, cheese, and a romantic campfire.
Have some members in your group who aren’t interested in horseback riding? Riverman Trail Rides also has fly fishing opportunities! Let your anglers hang back and enjoy 4 hours of catch-and-release fishing on the Riverman Trail’s private property.
Explore Broken Bow by ATV
With the Ouachita National Forest right at your doorstep, an off-roading ATV adventure is a must. Beginners can enjoy countless dirt roads through the serene wilderness, while thrill seekers can opt for challenging routes filled with creek crossings, slow crawls, and muddy puddles!
Whatever the route, an ATV adventure will take you to parts of Broken Bow that many other people never get the chance to see. If running away into the woods sounds like a great day, then this is definitely the adventure for you!
ATV Alternatives
- Kid-Friendly: Bigfoot Speedway for an afternoon of go-karts and snowcones!
- Beginner: Rugaru Adventures offers ‘Swincar tours’ for a more controlled offroading adventure. These electric offroad vehicles are just as fun as any ATV!
Book a Tiki Boat Tour
- Address: 2820 Stevens Gap Rd, Hochatown, OK
- Website: thebrokentiki.com/tiki-boat-tours
When you envision your vacation to Oklahoma, it probably doesn’t include a tiki boat tour, but it should! Offering one of the most unique activities in Broken Bow, the Broken Tiki knows a thing or two about having an amazing time.
Hop aboard the tiki boat for an afternoon of booze, beautiful scenery, relaxing music, and historical fun facts supplied by your energetic tiki boat guide. And if you are worried about the summer heat, think again! The Broken Tiki also offers Tiki Boat Piratude Water Wars, in which you will be armed with a water blaster in preparation for battle. About halfway through your boat ride, a nearby boat will wage war, so prepare to get wet!
Not into boats? Take a historic train ride through Broken Bow’s magical forest instead!
Essential Packing for the Perfect Trip
- A Bathing Suit: If Broken Bow Lake isn’t inviting enough, your cabin hot tub surely will be!
- Hiking Boots: The forest is calling, and you must go!
- Bug Spray: The summer weather is lovely, and the mosquitos agree!
- A Light Jacket: Cooler evening temperatures can cause a chill but are great for campfires and s’mores!
- A Camera: To highlight the memories that will last a lifetime!
Stay for the Summer in Broken Bow
A summer getaway to Southeast Oklahoma is the vacation that no one realizes they need until they are there.
With quiet woods, breathtaking scenery, endless activities, and a local scene that’ll make you feel right at home, Broken Bow is a place that you will find yourself returning to time and time again. So lock in your favorite Broken Bow cabin today because it will surely be your new summer vacation home for years to come.
