17+ Things To Do in Broken Bow OK for Outdoor Fun

Broken Bow, Oklahoma, is a top destination for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in McCurtain County, it is a prime area for hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating which are favored activities for locals and visitors. The area is popular year-round, especially in spring, summer, and autumn. 

Ready to learn about all there is to do in this Oklahoma town? Here are are 17+ things to do in Broken Bow OK that we just know you’re going to love.

COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN BROKEN BOW

• Casino Stay. Read more about Choctaw Casino Resort in this post below. This place has it all!

• Cabin in the Woods. This Modern Cabin with Hot Tub sleeps 4 and features a gorgeous view of the surrounding woods through super-large windows. It’s central to many of our recommended activities and perfect for a romantic retreat.

• Larger Accommodation. Lavish Cabin with Hot Tub and Deck Near Broken Bow Lake is great for large families or a getaway with a bunch of friends. The home has a patio, 3 bedrooms, a living room and a well-equipped kitchen.

BROKEN BOW LAKE

Broken Bow Lake is one of the biggest draws to Broken Bow, and boating on the lake is one of the most popular activities. You will see private boats of all kinds, including ski boats, houseboats, sailboats, party barges, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and jet skis. You can find boat rentals at Beavers Bend Marina and Jet Boat Joe’s. 

Broken Bow Lake is over 22 square miles with over 150 miles of shoreline making plenty of room for other water activities. Fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding, tubing, and swimming are all done at Broken Bow Lake.

BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK

Beavers Bend State Park is a huge destination in Broken Bow for anyone who loves to be in nature. Nestled between the Ouachita Mountains and Kiamichi Mountains, the park is a favored destination all year long. Fishing, kayaking and canoeing, biking, hiking, horseback riding, riding quads, and playing golf are all popular activities here. 

There are numerous hiking trails throughout the park varying from easy to difficult. The Skyline Trail, one of the most popular, is considered a challenging trail and covers 6 miles of steep terrain as well as the Lookout Mountain Trail.  The David Boren Trail is open to hikers and bikers offering over 16 miles of trails. Some of the easier trails are South Park, Beaver Creek Crossing, and Deer Cross.

While you’re here, make sure to stop by the Forest Heritage Center Museum. You’ll find antique forestry tools, art, homestead memorabilia, and historical documents here. Visitors to the museum will view 14 large dioramas that were painted by Harry Rossoll of Atlanta, Georgia — the artist who created Smokey Bear.

Hochatown Escape Games offers a scavenger hunt that will help you get to know the state park even better. The Hochatown Scavenger Hunt is a one of a kind, map-guided, trivial tour around Beavers Bend State Park and surrounding areas.

BROKEN TIKI TOURS

Broken Tiki Tours is a fun way to see the lake. These party boats cruise around Broken Bow Lake while you sip on your favorite booze, cocktails, or wine. You can also choose to cruise on the unique Broken Tiki Tour Bus.

The company can arrange different tours, like family-friendly or adults only. They can also book private parties.

HOCHATOWN SALOON

Hochatown Saloon is the best place to go for live music. While the saloon encourages online ticket sales, you can also buy tickets the same day as the show at the door.

The menu includes appetizers, burgers, prime rib, sandwiches, a kids menu, a dessert menu, and a full bar. The saloon also has TVs, table service, and take-out.

BEAVERS BEND MINING COMPANY

The Beavers Bend Mining Company is the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Broken Bow with kids of any age. The mining company offers activities like “mining” for gems, fossils, and arrowheads, and they have a dino dig where you can dig for dinosaur teeth and fossils, as well as a dinosaur museum.

You can get wax hands made, visit Pirate’s Cove, play mini-golf or take a ride on the Kraken Go-Karts. Beavers Bend is open 7 days a week from 9-5 and you do not need a reservation. 

MOUNTAIN FORK RIVER

Mountain Fork River and Park have various accolades including, “the best whitewater stream in Oklahoma,” and the “the best trout fishing anywhere in the surrounding region.” Fly fishing is one of the most popular things to do at the river because of its chilly, constant flow of water. You can catch brown and rainbow trout. 

Mountain Fork River has rapids, small waterfalls, and rock gardens making it an ideal location for white water rafting. People also like to kayak and canoe on the river. There are several tours you can book, as well as rentals available. 

GLOVER RIVER

If you’re looking for more seclusion and tranquility, the Glover River area is the ideal place to take a trip. The river is popular with fishermen catching channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and sunfish. 

You can get canoe and kayak rentals to explore the river. Glover River is home to class l and ll rapids for more experienced rafters and kayakers. 

MOUNTAIN FORK BREWERY

Mountain Fork Brewery makes its own craft beer with the pristine water flowing from the Mountain Fork River. They offer a variety of beers including ales, stouts, and IPAs. The menu they feature in their Top Room includes shareable appetizer options, salads, brick oven pizzas, handcrafted burgers, and sandwiches, as well as a kid and dessert menu. 

The brewery also offers tours. The tours last 20-30 minutes and include a pint of beer of your choice, as well as a souvenir glass & t-shirt.

TALIMENA NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

Mountains. The best time to go is during the fall months so you can see the leaves changing colors. Spring is another great time to go as everything is blooming. 

There are 22 scenic vistas along Talimena Byway as well as Talimena State Park, the Ouachita National Forest, and the Cedar Lake Recreation Area. Many people stop at these destinations to hike, bike, swim, fish, go horseback riding, and/or go camping. 

Throughout the Oklahoma stretch of highway you can stop at:

• Choctaw Vista 
• Potato Hills Vista
• Holson Valley Vista
• Panorama Vista
• Deadman Vista
• Sugarloaf Vista
• Lenox Vista
• Cedar Lake Vista
• Shawnee Vista
• Emerald Vista
• Big Cedar Vista
• Sunset Point Vista
• Kiamichi Valley Vista
• Chaka Vista
• Pine Mountain Vista
• Castle Rock Vista

One very important thing to keep in mind is that there are no gas stations along the byway, so make sure you fill up before leaving. However you can find restrooms at all ranger stations, but also at the West End Visitor Information Station, Old Military Road, Horsethief Spring, Winding Stair Recreation Area, Pipe Spring, and Kerr Arboretum.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Exploring the heavily wooded area of Broken Bow is really fun on horseback. Riverman Trail Rides offers 1- and 2-hour rides, a sunset ride, as well as a sweetheart ride. The sweetheart ride includes wine, cheese, and a small campfire.

Riverman Trail Rides also offers tractor and wagon rides. Additionally, they offer a fishing trip to a private river, where you can catch and release all the fish you want during the (up to) 4-hour expedition. 

Glover River Trail Rides offers 1-,2- and 3-hour ride options where you go through forests and over rivers, the 3-hour ride even takes you to a swinging footbridge that you can dismount to explore. Glover River Trail Rides also has a petting zoo and can offer to lodge if you feel like staying around the area and exploring more. 

During your trail rides you can spot deer, rabbits, and turkeys. Coyote, bobcat, and raccoon are also in the area, but are a lot rarer to spot.

HOCHATOWN PETTING ZOO

The Hochatown Petting Zoo is a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center. The zoo protects and houses barnyard animals, birds, reptiles, and even some exotic animals like a Kinkajou, also known as a honey bear, and a Patagonian Cavy.

The petting zoo offers tours and is open to anyone who has a love for animals. They also have volunteer opportunities. 

RUGARU ADVENTURES

Ruguaru Adventures offers one of the only zip lines in the area. There are 6 lines that guide you just about a mile, 60 feet in the air. You’ll reach 35 mph while zipping through the trees. The ziplining tour lasts 2 hours and you have to weigh at least 70 pounds to qualify.

If you’re looking for a little bit more excitement, you can book a nighttime zipline tour. While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended and closed-toe shoes are 100% required.

CHOCTAW CASINO

The Choctaw Casino boasts more than 400 slot machines, over 100 table games, and a state-of-the-art poker room. They have nearly 16 restaurants, 20 bars, pubs and lounges, 2 swimming pools, a spa that features massages, facials, and body treatment services, and two extravagant couples’ suites with an Ultra whirlpool soaking tub for two, and a couple’s rain shower.

The casino also has 6 movie theaters, a bowling alley, and an arcade. You can even go shopping at 5 name-brand stores. You can catch a live show or concert at The Grand Theater and Gilley’s. The casino has over 1500 rooms for guests to relax and call home for your duration. 

Book It: Choktaw Casino

BANDITS ATV

Trekking around Broken Bow on an ATV is another fun way to explore the area. Whether you are with friends, family, or a partner, Bandits ATV offers self-guided tours and rentals for everyone. You can even bring your own ATV and explore the trails. Bandits also offer boat rentals and many people make a full day of both activities. 

If you’re renting ATVs then you’ll want to bring a small cooler, sunglasses, sunscreen, and closed-toed shoes. If you’re renting a boat you’ll need water shoes, sunscreen, floats, a bathing suit, fishing poles, and bait and towels.

BEAVERS BEND DEPOT & TRAIL RIDES

Beavers Bend Depot and Trail Rides offers horseback rides for children 5 and up, while younger kids can ride with an adult. Trail rides last about an hour and take you along a 2.5-mile trail.

The depot also offers train rides that meander through the woods to Wahoo Hill.

After your train and trail ride, you can stop by the gift shop where you can grab souvenirs, candy, and ice cream.

GOLF

If you are a golfer, you should definitely visit Broken Bow. There are various golf courses, including mini-golf, as well as a pro golf course.

The Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend is a long, narrow course at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains. This 18-hole course at par 72 uses Bermuda grass greens and includes, tees and fairways, a putting green and driving range as well as a pro shop with cart and club rentals. You can also grab snacks and drinks in the shop.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed game of golf, you can check out the Old West Town Miniature Golf. Set up to look like you’re playing in the Wild West, you’ll encounter tricky curves, difficult corners, and 50-foot fairways. After your round of mini-golf,  you should check out the rest of the wild west town where you can see an Indian trading post, stables, hotel, smokehouse, country store, church, and a saloon.

GIRLS GONE WINE

This women-owned and operated winery was founded by three best friends. They are dedicated to having “a fine place for fun wine.” This boutique winery includes a “funky, sassy” gift shop and an easy, comfortable area to hang out with your friends. 

The women produce the wine right on site, through a fermentation process. They receive pasteurized juices from all over the world, and then they begin to make the wine on-site by adding yeast back in. The women offer dry wines, semi-sweet, and sweet wines that you can sample in the adults-only room, cheekily named The G Spot. 

Girls Gone Wine offers complimentary wine tasting when visiting their winery, and several packages to the exclusive G Spot. They offer virtual wine tasting where they provide the wine as long as you provide the venue. A great option the girls provide is options for non-drinkers or your designated driver.

Something unique Girl Gone Wine does for their clients is to set up traveling wine tours. Fun!

GRATEFUL HEAD PIZZA OVEN & TAPROOM

Paying tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time, The Grateful Dead, this pizza and taproom offers live music and great food. Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Tap Room have a mouthwatering menu, and some of their dishes are directly named in memory of several Grateful Dead songs. 

All their pizzas are hand-tossed and use all-natural cheeses. You can choose from any of the pizzas on the menu or you can create your own. They also have “openers” of cheese styxs and wings and salads. Sodas are served in reusable souvenir cups, so you have a little piece of the dead with you. 

The beer garden is a popular place to hang out and listen to music both from the living and The Dead.

FISH TALES WINERY & BISTRO

Enjoy great food and great wine at Fish Tales Winery & Bistro in Broken Bow. The winery here is open 7 days a week, and you’ll find free tastings at this location just down the road from Beavers Bend State Park’s south entrance.

You’ll love the muscadine wine, semi-sweet wines, sweet wines, dry wines and legacy wines found here.

The bistro offers food that’s meant to be enjoyed with the wines offered here. You’ll find delicious breads, soups and salads, cheese boards, pastas, paninis, and more. Bring the whole family — they have kid-approved foods too! The bistro is closed on Sundays.

BROKEN BOW FAQ

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO OKLAHOMA

• YOUR OKLAHOMA VACATION
• OKLAHOMA CITY: 15 Fun Things To Do In Oklahoma City Everyone Will Love
• TULSA: 18 Awesome Things To Do In Tulsa Your Family Will Love

WHERE TO STAY IN BROKEN BOW, OKLAHOMA