A vacation to Broken Bow, OK is a must-do! This adorable area is filled with exciting outdoor adventures, water sports, ATV riding, amazing cabins, wineries, breweries, and great restaurants. Below you will find the top things to do in Broken Bow, OK.
Check out this post for everything to do, explore and eat around Broken Bow. It’s a nature lover’s dream! This is a great way to spend your vacation time and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the Broken Bow area.
SEE ALSO: Weekend Getaways in Oklahoma
Broken Bow is located in the southeast part of Oklahoma in McCurtain County. Nestled in between the Kiamichi & Ouachita Mountains and the Red River Basin – also known as Hochatown.
It’s a short 3-hour drive from Dallas/Fort Worth. Making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, or a week-long summer destination. Broken Bow activities are endless and no matter the time of year, there is always something fun happening in the area.
Top things to do in Broken Bow, OK
Fishing on Mountain Fork River
Grab your rod & reel and head to the river! Need a little help finding a fish? Then you hire fishing guides to guide where to to fish. This is a great option, especially when you have kids that are impatient when it comes to catching fish.
Broken Bow dam provides year-round habitat for Rainbow and Brown Trout, perfect for fly fishing. And the Mountain Fork River is a great place for year-round trout fishing.
Hiking at Beavers Bend State Park
Pack a picnic or grab a to-go lunch at Rolling Fork Takery and spend the day hiking, bird watching, and enjoying the beauty of Ouachita National Forest.
The amazing views of Mountain Fork River will lead you on trails that you are likely to see lots of wildlife like eagles, deer, and plenty of birds.
Spend your day hiking the Skyline Trail which is an 11-mile hike that winds through waterfalls and mountain peaks. Or for a less challenging and more family-friendly trail, take the 2-mile hike to Lookout Mountain. You’ll be greeted with incredible views!
If you visit during late October and early November, you will get breathtaking views of the fall colors and will not want to leave!
Canoeing, Kayaking, and Paddle Boarding
This entire area has plenty of places to grab your favorite water toy and explore all day.
Mountain Fork River offers Class I and II rapids. Great for kayaking, canoeing, or floating the river.
Broken Bow Lake has calmer waters and a good place to launch your Stand Up Paddleboard. Head to Wild Goose Canoe & Kayak, Yippie Kayo Kayaks, River Rats Kayak Rental, or WW Trading Post Canoe and Kayak for your rental needs.
Distillery Tour & Tasting Room
Leave the kids at home and spend a few hours at Beavers Bend Brewery or Mountain Fork Brewery. Both have fresh craft beer, including IPAs, Brown Ales, Pale Ales & seasonal brews made on-site.
Hochatown Distilling Company offers a bourbon tasting room and distillery tour.
Visit a Winery
Enjoy a fun day at a winery. Several around town offer outdoor patios, fire pits, and gift shops. So you can enjoy time at the winery or pick up your favorite bottles to enjoy bay at your cabin. Be sure to check out Girls Gone Wine, Knotted Rope Winery, Vojai’s Winery, and Fish Tales Winery.
Boating on Broken Bow Lake
This massive 14,000-acre lake sits on the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and has 180 miles of natural shoreline.
Head to Beavers Bend Marina where you can rent jet skis or boats for the day. You can grab snacks at the convenience store and fill up your boat.
Horseback Riding
Don your cowboy boots and saddle up! The Ouachita National Forest and the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area is the perfect sport for first-timers or experienced riders to enjoy beautiful trails that will take you along the creek bed to views atop the mountain.
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides will take you through 2 1/2 miles of scenic Beavers Bend State Park Game Reserve. After the hour-long ride, stop by the snack bar for ice cream or funnel cake.
ATV Trail Riding
Want to feel a little wind and dirt in your hair, then you need to rent an ATV! Bandits ATV and Bigfoot Jeep Rentals have plenty of options to choose from. Once you have your ATV, you can explore 40 miles of trails that are maintained by the forestry service around Broken Bow.
Cedar Creek Golf Course
Located in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains with its fairways lined with pine trees, this gorgeous course is a great place to spend the day. This course features 18 holes, a driving range, putting green, a pro shop, club rentals, and a snack bar.
Rugaru Adventures
Fly along the 6 zip lines that range from 300-1,000 feet in the air while going up to 35 mph! This is not the adventure for the faint of heart. The zip lines will guide you through canopies in the forest and ending with a breathtaking view over Broken Bow Lake. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Go-Kart Racing and Miniature Golf
Step back into the 1800s and play a round of mini-golf at Old West Town Miniature Golf. The course winds through an old town with a blacksmith shop, post office, saloon, and church. They keep the course updated and add new touches each year.
Feel the need for speed? Head to BigFoot Speedway or Hochatown Amusements for a friendly race with your family.
Choctaw Casino
A slice of Vegas in the middle of Oklahoma! The hotel and casino has blackjack, slots, and poker. Be sure to check the calendar because they have big-name concerts and sporting events happening throughout the year.
Broken Tiki Tour on Broken Bow Lake
This is a fun and unique way to enjoy Broken Bow Lake. Cruise along on the lake in a Tiki-themed pontoon boat. The boat has music, cocktails, yard games, and is family-friendly.
Beavers Bend Mining Company
The kids will enjoy spending a few hours mining for gold. Visitors have the chance to discover shark teeth, gemstones, and gold.
Hochatown Rescue Center & Petting Zoo
This Hochatown petting zoo is a great place to get up close and personal with animals. The petting zoo has typical animals like goats, rabbits, deer, horses pigs, and donkeys. As well as unique animals like the hognose snake, skunks, chinchillas, and bearded dragons. The kids will enjoy hearing interesting facts from your guide and snuggling with the baby animals.
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides
Take a ride on the miniature train through Beavers Bend State Park Game Reserve. The 20-minute train ride takes you through a train tunnel and up & down Wahoo Hill. It’s a family favorite adventure!
Drive down the Talimena National Scenic Byway
If you are looking for a relaxing Sunday drive, then you need to head down the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The 54-mile route has breathtaking panoramic views of Choctaw Country. Along the route, you can find places to pull over for a hike or stop and take a photo at one of the 22 scenic pull-outs.
Escape Room
You can enter one of two rooms, 60 minutes, and search through the clues to solve the puzzle to escape! You need to work as a team to unlock the mystery. This is a great family activity that will have everyone working hard to solve the mystery.
Body Harmony Day Spa
Need a break from the kids or nature for a few hours? Then book a 90-minute Sensory Therapeutic massage that will have you relaxed in no time. Don’t want to go to Body Harmony Spa, then have them come to your cabin! You can enjoy a massage without ever leaving your place of lodging.
Shopping in Broken Bow
No vacation is complete without a little shopping! Around town, you can find everything from antiques, home decor, clothing boutiques, fudge factory and of course souvenirs of your time in Broken Bow.
Forest Heritage Center Museum
This museum features a 100-year-old cabin, antique forestry tools, wood art, historical documents, and other materials focused on forestry. This is a great activity to enjoy on a rainy day or to take a break from the summer heat.
Restaurants you have to eat at in Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room
This family-friendly restaurant has love music and delicious brick oven pizza. This restaurant never disappoints!
Stevens Gap
This laid-back restaurant has great fried catfish. Also, a good place if you are craving breakfast because they serve it all day.
Abendigos Grill
Enjoy live music on the patio while chowing down on a great steak! This the ultimate multipurpose restaurant. They have a coffee shop, sports bar, and concerts on their large patio.
Mountain Fork Brewery
It is a great place to have dinner without a bunch of kids running around. The local brewpub offers house-crafted beers and typical pub food.
Buffalo Grill
Great for kids and their shrimp tacos are divine. Super casual and a great place to go relax for dinner after a day on the lake.
Adam & Eve Coffee
Stop by for your morning coffee and breakfast burritos. Starting my day with coffee is a must and this place is a good place to get your morning cup of Joe before heading out on your adventure for the day.
Okie Girls Coffee & Ice Cream
Looking for the best ice cream in town? Then look no further than Okie Girls Coffee & Ice Cream! The sizes are ridiculously oversized, but once you have a taste you’ll be thankful because you will devour it.
SEE ALSO: Place to visit on an Oklahoma Road Trip
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So no matter if you are looking for a family-friendly weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation, McCurtain County is the place to go and find all the Broken Bow activities!
