Things to Do on Broken Bow Lake

Beyond fishing and boating, Broken Bow Lake offers a real range of things to do, from Beavers Bend State Park's extensive trails to a brand-new casino resort, giving visitors plenty to explore beyond the water itself.

Beavers Bend State Park Anchors the Area's Recreation Identity

Beavers Bend State Park, developed starting in 1937 under the Civilian Conservation Corps, offers an extensive trail network, a golf course, a lodge, and campgrounds spanning 316 sites, making it the single biggest recreation draw in the area.

Guided Historical Tours Explore Choctaw Nation Heritage

Occasional guided tours and cultural events tied to the Choctaw Nation's presence give visitors a deeper look at the region's Native American history than a casual drive-through visit alone would offer.

Rugaru Adventures Offers One of the Region's Longest Zipline Courses

Rugaru Adventures runs six ziplines totaling 3,500 feet at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, giving visitors a thrilling, roughly two-hour guided adventure through the forested terrain.

Choctaw Landing Casino Resort Opened as a Major New Attraction

The Choctaw Nation's roughly $238 million Choctaw Landing Casino Resort, opened in spring 2024, added 600 slots, 8 table games, a pool with cabanas, and an amphitheater to the area's entertainment options.

Cedar Creek Golf Course Ranks Among Oklahoma's Top Municipal Courses

Cedar Creek Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-72 course within Beavers Bend State Park, earned recognition as Oklahoma's top municipal course from Golf Digest in 2009, a real credential for a public course.

The Forest Heritage Center Museum Draws 150,000 Visitors a Year

Operating since 1976, the Forest Heritage Center Museum draws about 150,000 visitors annually with 14 dioramas by Harry Rossoll, who also helped create the Smokey Bear campaign, earning the area its "Wood Art Capital" branding.

River Tubing and Float Trips Offer a Gentler Water Adventure

Outfitters like Tippa Adventures run float trips ranging from a quick 1.5-mile trip to a full 9-mile all-day float on the Lower Mountain Fork River, a gentler alternative to boating on the main lake.

Photography Opportunities Abound Around the Forested Shoreline

Sunrise and sunset views over Broken Bow's clear water and forested hills give photographers real, rewarding opportunities, particularly from overlooks along the park's hiking trails.

Wineries and Breweries Give Hochatown Its Own Distinct Character

Hochatown's several wineries and breweries, including Wild Horse Winery and Beavers Bend Brewery, give the area a distinct social scene beyond its cabin-rental identity.

Horseback Riding Offers a Classic Way to See the Forested Terrain

Riverman Trail Rides offers one, two, and three-hour guided horseback rides through the area's forested terrain, a classic way to experience the Ouachita Mountains beyond the water.

Camping and RV Sites Cluster Around the Park's Main Campground

Beavers Bend State Park's 316 total campsites include options for tents, RVs, yurts, and shelters, giving budget-conscious visitors a real, affordable way to spend an extended stay near the water and trails.

Cedar Bluff Nature Trail Offers an Easy, Family-Friendly Loop

For visitors wanting something shorter, the one-mile Cedar Bluff Nature Trail loop offers an easy, family-friendly option through scenic terrain without the full commitment of a longer backcountry hike.

The David Boren Trail Offers Serious Backcountry Hiking

At 12 miles, the David Boren Trail stands as the longest and most serious backcountry hiking option in Beavers Bend State Park, with backcountry camping allowed along its route.

Skyline Trail Offers the Park's Longest Day-Hike Loop

The 8.6-mile Skyline Trail loop offers the park's longest true day-hike option short of the multi-day David Boren Trail, giving serious hikers a substantial challenge within a single day.

Fall Foliage Season Draws Its Own Wave of Visitors

The Ouachita Mountains' fall foliage draws a distinct wave of visitors each autumn, separate from the summer boating crowd, giving the area a different seasonal character worth experiencing.

Local Farmers Markets Give Visitors a Taste of the Region

Seasonal farmers markets around Broken Bow give visitors a real taste of the region's agricultural roots, offering fresh produce and local crafts as a relaxed alternative to the busier lakefront attractions.

Live Music at Local Wineries Rounds Out Evening Entertainment

Several Hochatown wineries and breweries host live music on weekends, giving visitors real evening entertainment options beyond a quiet dinner alone after a full day outdoors.

Wildlife Watching Rewards Patient Visitors in the Forest

The Ouachita Mountains' forested terrain rewards patient visitors with real sightings of deer, wild turkey, and other regional wildlife drawn to the area's protected woodlands.

Day Trips Into Durant Add Shopping and Casino Variety

Visitors wanting more shopping or an additional gaming option can take a day trip into Durant, home to the Choctaw Nation's headquarters and its longer-standing Choctaw Casino Resort.

Broken Bow Lake offers real variety beyond the water -- a historic state park, a brand-new casino resort, and serious hiking and ziplining -- giving visitors plenty of genuine reasons to explore well beyond fishing and boating alone.