Living in Northeast Texas allows us to explore neighboring states without long drives. I decided to plan a getaway to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, because it’s conveniently close to us. Let me tell you, this trip quickly became a cherished memory for us. We were bubbling with excitement as we packed our bags, eager to escape the confines of our daily routine and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and delightful experiences that Broken Bow offers.
In this blog post, I’ll take you along on our journey, sharing all the places we discovered and the cozy cabin we called home during our stay in Broken Bow. It’s a tale of adventure, relaxation, and family bonding that I’m thrilled to recount. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into the captivating world of our Broken Bow escapade.
Getting Ready for Our Broken Bow Adventure
Once I had our location selected and our dates picked out, it was time to try and find a place to stay. I wanted to be close to town but also have some privacy. I prefer to avoid staying in overcrowded areas or sites with cabins stacked next to each other, like apartment buildings. My favorite service for this is VRBO, but I also looked around on local sites using Google to search “cabins in Broken Bow, OK.” I found a lovely place, which I will share later on, and chose the length of our stay.
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir
What you take with you will largely depend on where you stay. Every location has its different amenities and supplies. The cabin I decided to book had everything we needed other than food and, of course, our clothes and personal belongings. I highly recommend taking food with you or finding a local Walmart or discount store to stop at rather than shopping at the grocery store in Broken Bow. The prices are high because it is a tourist location and it’s easy for visitors to get to. If you are going during the summer, make sure that you take your swimming clothes with you if you plan on going swimming.
You can download a handy checklist of things to pack here, no email signup required.
Remember to adapt these suggestions to your family’s needs. If you plan on camping rather than renting a cabin, then make sure you create a separate list of the camping supplies you need. I decided to get a cabin rather than camping because that worked best for us. Also, check the weather forecast before you leave to know what type of clothes you need to take to be prepared.
Our Daily Adventures in McCurtain County
We didn’t have many plans when we left, except for knowing that we wanted to go kayaking and horseback riding. Below is a summary of the different activities that we did participate in.
Kayaking in Broken Bow
There are so many different options for kayaking trips in Broken Bow. We wanted to take an advanced kayaking trip through the frigid water. I tried to find a decent kayaking trip for all of us to go on and it was fun, but it was a lot shorter than we expected. Keep in mind that you can relax and move slowly down the river, but my kids were trying to race each other to the end while I was making sure no one got hurt.
I used Beavers Bend River floats, which is excellent for beginners. They had friendly service, and once you get to the end of the kayaking trip, they load you up and give you a ride back to the beginning. I would love to take that same trip again without racing to the end and just relax and enjoy the time.
Horseback Riding Trail and the Train Depot
Beavers Bend State Park offers many different activities to keep you busy. I was the most excited about horseback riding and the train ride through the forest. You will be able to see plenty of deer through the woods because the workers sprinkle deer corn near the tracks so that they will come around to eat it.
I assume that the deer are just used to the people and the sound of the train riding through the forest at this point. There is also a very entertaining person speaking over the intercom throughout your ride, which makes it even more enjoyable. There is always a line of people waiting to hop on the train and enjoy the ride.
The horseback riding and train are in the same area, next to a gift shop and concessions. This allows you to grab a snack while waiting for your departure or appointment to hop on a horse. The staff are all very friendly and help you get on the horse, even short people like me with minimal experience. Don’t be afraid to get on a horse and enjoy the trail ride.
The horses are trained and very gentle. They are used to people and well taken care of by the staff. My horse stopped abruptly during my ride, and I didn’t understand why as I was facing forward. One of the staff came back and asked me if everything was okay. I replied that the horse had stopped and I didn’t know why. It just so happened that my horse stopped for a bathroom break! We managed to catch up very quickly as the horse I was riding had a little extra speed in it’s step. They are trained to stay together, and the staff ensures everyone is safe.
The Wood Museum (Forest Heritage Center)
There is also a museum in Beavers Bend State Park that you can visit that is mainly dedicated to wood and Wood Art, as they are famous for this. I would have liked to take more time to listen to the education as we walked through, but the kids were in a hurry to run around and right back out. I guess I’m just more of a history nerd than everyone else.
If you also like history and learning about things, please take the time to walk through and enjoy it. There are speaker boxes, reading material, beautiful wood sculptures, and other wood art.
Janet’s Treasure Chest
While waiting for a callback about a boat ride, I decided to visit one of the most famous souvenir shops in the area, Janet’s Treasure Chest. Outside the shop, you will find large sculptures with which you can pose for photos.
Inside, you will find that there is a large amount of different items to look at. There is everything from historical objects to candy and toys and even more. They have a little something for everyone. This is a great place to window shop or pass the time while waiting to travel to your next location. They tend to be busy here, so be patient and mindful of others.
Taking a Boat Ride
I finally received a callback from someone about taking a ride on their boat. Another popular service there is Tiki boat tours, but they are pretty crowded, and I don’t like big crowds. There are several different services and people offering boat rentals or boat rides for a price. I found a more affordable tour with some fantastic people called B-Pops ride and dive boat tours. They even offer you to go fishing or swimming and are some of the nicest people I met while in Hochatown. I still have their card from the trip, and you can reach them at 580-236-5158.
Where to Stay Near Broken Bow
I have mentioned where I would like to stay, but I have yet to say where we did stay. The cabin we stayed at was outside the tourist area, down some backroads in a more private location. They may have been building another cabin nearby while we were there, but this didn’t bother us. The crew was respectful, and we weren’t bothered by any noise. I didn’t want to share this cabin because I wish I could be greedy and keep it to myself. This place was absolutely amazing.
There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a vast living area, a beautiful kitchen and laundry room, a back porch with a hot tub, an outdoor space and fire pit, and so much more. We loved this cabin so much that during some of our trip, we were perfectly content just staying in the cabin. Let me also tell you that after your trail ride on the horse, you will want to soak in the hot tub the next day.
The only problem I experienced was that the bed was almost too high off the ground to get in it because I’m so short. But I still managed to get in it, and I slept so well. The shower was also amazing. There is nothing wrong that I can say about this place. I fell in love with it. Now, anytime I visit Broken Bow, any other cabins that I stay at fail to live up to my expectations after staying here. I would be wrong not to share this beautiful cabin with the rest of you, so here is the link to book it. I know you will have a fantastic time.
In Conclusion
Broken Bow was an amazing trip the kids and I and the best vacation we have taken. We went on this trip in 2021, and all had the best time. I only wish that we had been able to stay even longer as there are so many more activities that we didn’t get to do that would have been fun like axe throwing, escape rooms, and even racetracks. The only racetrack we saw was more go-karts for little kids. I went with teenagers, but there are also plenty of activities for little kids in the area, and people of all ages will enjoy a family trip to Broken Bow. It’s not too far from us, and I look forward to visiting again one day.
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