Things to Do in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Southeast Oklahoma doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but if you’re living in the ArkLaTex, it’s practically in your backyard. Broken Bow and Hochatown sit in the Ouachita Mountains of McCurtain County, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Texarkana, and they are absolutely worth a dedicated trip. Our family has been visiting this area for years and it’s one of those places that just keeps pulling us back, even as it continues to grow!

This corner of southeast Oklahoma is part of the four states area, making it a natural fit for an ArkLaTex Adventures guide. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed outdoor adventure, a quiet cabin getaway, great food, or something fun to do with the kids, Broken Bow and Hochatown deliver every time. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip. This post contains affiliate links.

My Top 5 Things to Do in Broken Bow.

If you only have a short trip or want a preview before diving into the full guide, here are my top five picks:

1. Hike the Skyline Trail (Strenuous) or Friends Trail (Easy) at Beavers Bend State Park.
2. Float or kayak the Mountain Fork River.
3. Eat at Grateful Head Pizza (and yes, they have a gluten-free crust!).
4. Drive through Beavers Bend Safari Park with the kids.
5. Spend an afternoon browsing the shops in Broken Bow and Hochatown, then grabbing coffee at Local Habit.

Beavers Bend State Park.

Beavers Bend State Park is the heart of the Broken Bow experience. Situated along the Mountain Fork River in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, the park has hiking trails, a nature center and history museum, a campground, cabins to rent, a swimming area, paddle board and kayak rentals, and ranger-led programs in the summer. It’s the kind of state park where you could spend an entire weekend and still not see everything.

One important thing to know before you go: there is a $10 per vehicle per day parking fee throughout Beavers Bend State Park. You can pay through the app at the entrance, so download it before you head out. Cell service gets spotty as you get deeper into the park, so plan ahead.

The park is beautiful year-round, but fall is especially stunning. The color season typically runs from late October into early November, when the forest shifts from deep green to brilliant golds. Summer is peak season for water activities, and winter brings a quiet, cozy energy that’s perfect if you’re staying in a cabin. Some more amenities include:

• Cabins for rent.
• Rooms in the lodge.
• Camping.
• Yurts.

Our family loves the Forest Heritage Museum and the Nature Center on site at the state park.

Hiking in Beavers Bend.

If you love to hike, Beavers Bend will not disappoint. There are trails for every ability level, from easy nature walks to full-day challenging adventures, plus some featuring water. Here are some of our favorites:

• Skyline Trail, rated difficult, about 9 miles, circles the entire park. Plan for a full day, pack your ten essentials, and bring plenty of water. This is our all-time favorite trail at Beavers Bend.
• Friends Trail, a 1.5-mile easy loop that takes you right alongside the river and to a beautiful waterfall. This is the one I recommend for younger kids or a more relaxed day. Fun fact: the Mountain Fork River falls I mention in my waterfalls near Texarkana post are right in this area!
• Cedar Bluff Nature Trail, about a mile long, steep in spots, but it rewards you with a great overlook. A quick hike with a big payoff. Please note – this trail is on a cliff with no barriers, be mindful of children and your footing!
• Tree Trail, just over a mile, easy, and great for all ages.
• David Boren Hiking Trail, 16 miles of trail plus a 4-mile mountain bike loop. You can pick and choose sections based on how much time and energy you have.

Important safety note: In the spring months and after heavy rain, the areas around rivers and creeks are prone to flash flooding. If you hear a siren, exit the area immediately and get to higher ground. Don’t wait. Download the AllTrails app before your trip for offline trail maps since cell service is unreliable in much of the park.

Looking for more hikes across the ArkLaTex? Check out my guide to the best hiking trails near Texarkana or grab my Ultimate ArkLaTex Hiking Guide for full trail descriptions and tips.

On the water.

There is no shortage of water to play on around this area. Broken Bow Lake covers 14,000 acres with 180 miles of lush, tree-lined shoreline, and it’s ideal for boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. The Beavers Bend Marina is a full-service marina with jet ski and boat rentals.

The Mountain Fork River is also something special. The waters below the Broken Bow dam stay cold year-round, making it one of the best trout fishing destinations in the region. Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout both thrive here, and if fly fishing is your thing, this river is a must. The Beavers Bend Fly Shop can set you up with gear and guides.

Beyond fishing, the Mountain Fork River is great for kayaking, canoeing, floating, and paddleboarding. The river has Class I and II rapids in most sections, with bald cypress trees lining the banks. You can spot bald eagles, minks, and deer along the way. Rental options include Wild Goose Canoe and Kayak, Yippie Kayo Kayaks, Tippa Canoe, and paddleSUP for paddleboards.

More outdoor adventures.

If you want to level up beyond hiking and paddling, Broken Bow has plenty of options.

• Rugaru Adventures: six ziplines ranging from 300 to 1,100 feet, reaching 60 feet in the air at speeds of 35 mph. Tours last about 2 hours. They also offer guided Swincar tours, fully electric ATVs for exploring the hills and forest.
• Bandits ATV and Boat Rental: rent an ATV and hit 33 miles of old lumber trails through the Ouachita National Forest. One of the most exhilarating ways to see this landscape.
• Bigfoot Jeep Rentals: for exploring the Oklahoma backcountry off-road.
• Horseback Riding: River Man Trail Rides and the Beavers Bend Depot and Trail Rides both offer rides through the forest and state park game reserve. Expect to see deer, squirrel, and fox along the way.

Family-friendly fun.

Broken Bow and Hochatown are genuinely great destinations for families. Here’s what we love to do with kids in the area:

• Beavers Bend Safari Park: a drive-through animal park on 90 acres, home to over 30 species and 200+ animals including bison, zebra, ostrich, rhino, and kudu. The kids love this one every single time. They have animal encounter experiences you can add on as well, and be sure to go on their animal walkabout area behind the gift shop.
• Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo: a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center where you can hold, feed, and learn about all kinds of animals. Goats, alpacas, skunks, chinchillas, hognose snakes, and more. A guide takes you around to each animal and tells you their story. It’s really sweet.
• Hester’s Theatre of Magic: a live magic show right in Hochatown. Family-friendly, fun for all ages, and rated as one of the best things to do in the area. Chris Hester is a professional magician who creates genuinely memorable moments.
• Beavers Bend Mining Company: over 66 feet of sluice for panning gemstones, shark teeth, and trilobites. There’s also a Dino Dig, wax hands, and miniature golf. Educational and endlessly fun for kids.
• The Maze of Hochatown: a 29,000 square foot wooden maze. They’ve added a shade structure which makes it a lot more enjoyable in the summer heat. Right next door is Chili Dippers Golf Club, an 18-hole luxury mini golf course that’s prettier and more challenging than you’d expect.
• Big Foot Speedway: go-karts and snow cones. Always a hit.
• Beavers Bend Depot and Trail Rides: a 1/3-scale replica train that runs through the Beavers Bend game reserve. Kids love spotting wildlife from the train.

Places to eat in Broken Bow and Hochatown.

The food scene in Hochatown has grown so much and there are some really great options now. Here are the places we keep coming back to, with a few personal notes, including gluten-free options since I have Celiac Disease.

• Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Taproom: a family favorite and one of the best restaurants in the area. Great pizza, fun atmosphere, and they have a gluten-free crust option! You can eat in or order to go.
• Abendigos Grill and Patio: steak, seafood, and brunch. One of the nicer spots in town. Make a reservation if you’re going on a weekend or during peak summer, it fills up fast.
• Hochatown Saloon: American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights it turns into a dance hall with live country and rock music.
• Pressa Italia: classic Italian and wood-fired pizzas, located inside the Hochabow development.
• Shuck Me Hochatown: casual seafood with must-try plates like mahi mahi, oysters, and catfish.
• Brick and Bread: a beautiful cafe in downtown Broken Bow. They also offer online ordering for pick up.

Coffee shops.

You already know I’m going to find the coffee shops wherever I go. Here are the ones worth stopping into:

• Local Habit Coffee: located inside the Hochabow shopping center. A great spot to start the day before heading out to explore. This is my go to coffee stop in the Broken Bow and Hochatown area.
• Okie Girls Coffee and Ice Cream: signature coffees, ice cream, and baked goods. A fun stop especially with kids.
• Hochatown Coffee Central: a cute coffee shop with a gift shop right next door that’s worth a browse.

Shopping in Hochatown.

There are new shops opening in Hochatown all the time and browsing them is genuinely part of the experience. Here’s what I’d put on your list:

• Local 259: a specialty grocery store with an excellent deli, great wine selection, a candy shop, a children’s boutique, and a gift shop. Food trucks and outdoor seating round it out. A great spot to grab supplies for the cabin.
• Hochabow: a newer luxury retail and dining development with premium shops and restaurants, including Pressa Italia and Local Habit Coffee.
• Hochatown Mountain Co: upscale apparel and cozy home essentials. Great for gifts.
• Sasquatch’s Candy Den: right next door to Hochatown Mountain Co. I’m sorry in advance for the sugar overload.
• Hochatime: apparel and gifts from this local Hochatown lifestyle brand.
• Loblolly Chocolates: handcrafted chocolates. Don’t skip this one.

Unique experiences.

A few more things that make Broken Bow stand out from other destinations in the region:

• Wineries: if you want to raise a glass, there are several wineries with outdoor patios and fire pits. Girls Gone Wine, Fish Tales Winery, and Knotted Rope Winery are all worth a visit.
• Craft Beer: Beavers Bend Brewery and Mountain Fork Brewery both brew on-site with rotating taps. Great spots to unwind after a day on the trails.
• Hochatown Distilling Co.: a local distillery worth a visit for spirits lovers.
• Choctaw Landing: a resort and casino that has something for everyone. Beyond the casino there’s a restaurant, pool with cabanas, an outdoor amphitheater, a beer garden, and a fully stocked mercantile with a Starbucks and a deli.
• The Maze of Hochatown: a literal maze! It’s pricey but we found this to be a lot of fun and spent quite a while finding all of the stamp spots throughout the maze.
• Stargazing: Broken Bow has some of the darkest skies in Oklahoma. If you’re staying in a cabin, spend some time outside after dark. It’s absolutely incredible.
• Gasquatch: You can’t miss this Bigfoot themed gas station on the way to Broken Bow! It also has a classic car museum inside, great food and delicious ice cream treats too.
• Choctaw Landing: a newer, casino resort located in Broken Bow. It has a family friendly heated pool, movies on the lawn, multiple restaurants and shopping on site, plus the casino itself.

Note – The Maze of Hochatown now has a large shade structure over the maze so it’s much cooler in the hot months of summer!

Educational stops.

As a homeschool family, we always look for places where adventure and learning overlap. Broken Bow has a couple of really good ones:

• Forest Heritage Center: located right inside Beavers Bend State Park, this museum features art galleries and detailed dioramas about the history and heritage of southeast Oklahoma. It pairs perfectly with a hiking day in the park.
• Museum of the Red River: located in nearby Idabel, Oklahoma, about 30 minutes from Broken Bow. Free admission, and it houses a full-scale skeleton of Oklahoma’s state dinosaur, the Acrocanthosaurus. They also have one of the largest collections of southeastern indigenous basketry and pottery in the country. Check their Facebook page for educational programs throughout the year.

Where to stay.

That’s the million dollar question, with literally hundreds of possible answers. Broken Bow has tons of unique cabins, Airbnb’s, short term rentals, and more. Plus, some of them are incredibly unique! For example – Treetopia Treehouse was featured on Ryan Trahan’s YouTube channel and my kids are quite proud to say that we were there first.

It would be impossible to list all of the places to stay here in this post, but, here’s a map with some places highlighted and our favorite attractions are marked for you too. Check it out:

How Far is Broken Bow from Texarkana?

Broken Bow is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Texarkana, making it a very doable weekend trip from the ArkLaTex. The drive takes you through some charming small towns and beautiful scenery, especially once you get into the Ouachita Mountain foothills. A heads up: most of the drive is on two-lane highways, so be mindful of weather and factor in a little extra time if conditions are poor. Also: it’s a two lane highway for most of the drive around Broken Bow also. Traffic gets very congested on the weekends, during the summer, and on holidays.

From other ArkLaTex cities: Shreveport is about 3 hours, and Tyler is just under 3.5 hours. It’s a popular weekend destination for folks coming from Dallas (about 3.5 hours), Oklahoma City (about 4 hours), and all across the region.

Planning a weekend trip? Check out my Weekend Getaways in the ArkLaTex digital guide for a fully planned itinerary.

Is Broken Bow worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely, 100%. Broken Bow and Hochatown are worth every mile. It’s one of those places that genuinely has something for every type of traveler, whether you want to push yourself on a challenging hike, spend lazy hours floating a river, eat great food, or just sit on a cabin porch with a cup of coffee and listen to the pines. It’s a world away from the everyday and just a few hours from home.

If you only have time for three things, here’s what I’d tell you to do:

1. Hike the Friends Trail and dip your feet in the Mountain Fork River.
2. Order a pizza at Grateful Head and eat on the patio.
3. Drive through Beavers Bend Safari Park at golden hour.

Tips for your trip.

A few things to know to make your trip the best experience possible:

• Best time to visit: Broken Bow is a year-round destination. Fall (October through November) is peak for foliage and cooler temperatures. Summer is great for lake and river activities. Winter is perfect for a cozy cabin getaway. Summers and weekends can get very busy.
• Parking fee: $10 per vehicle per day throughout Beavers Bend State Park. Download the app before you leave home since cell service is spotty in the park.
• Flash flooding: In spring and after heavy rain, stay alert near rivers and creeks. If you hear a siren, get to higher ground immediately.
• Navigation: Download offline maps or set your directions before you leave pavement. Cell service is unreliable in many parts of the area.
• AllTrails app: Download it before your trip for trail maps, reviews, and offline navigation.
• Make reservations: In summer and on weekends, places like Abendigos get busy. Reserve a table when you can.
• Gluten-free options: Grateful Head Pizza has a GF crust. Always call ahead to confirm for serious dietary needs.
• Wear comfortable clothes that are versatile for adventuring and enjoying dinner at a restaurant. Check out some of my favorites below or shop my Adventure Mom guide on Shop LTK.

Happy adventuring! I hope this guide helps you plan a great trip to Broken Bow and Hochatown. If there’s anything I missed or something that should be added, send me an email or message me on social media and I’ll get it added. Thanks for reading!

Looking for more southeast Oklahoma adventures? Check out the best waterfalls near Texarkana (including Mountain Fork River!) and my rainy day trips from Texarkana guide for indoor ideas when the weather doesn’t cooperate.