Home to Beavers Bend State Park, the town of Broken Bow attracts visitors for its fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding. The majestic Broken Bow Lake sits at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and is surrounded by Ouachita National Forest. The region is filled with lush woodland, cedarwood Oklahoma cabins, and opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hiking trails lead through, up, and around the wooded landscape, while the lake makes for prime boating and fishing expeditions.

The more adventurous can jump onto a guided zipline ride, flying through the skies above the treescape of the Ouachita National Forest. For a charming but less exhilarating sightseeing experience, an open-top train offers frequent rides through the pine-scented landscape.

Broken Bow is also home to a vibrant culinary culture centered around the farm-to-table philosophy, with fresh-water fish and local ingredients in abundance on the town’s menus. Regional specialties include the famed catfish po’boy, barbecued pork, fried okra, and warm pecan pie for dessert.

Broken Bow is at its best between August and November. The fall season is cooler than the humid summer, but nights can range from refreshingly crisp to chilly, so be sure to pack warm outerwear. Halloween may not be until October, but things start to get spooky in August in Broken Bow with the arrival of Fear Fest. This annual convention for horror and paranormal fans is held at the Broken Bow Asylum, considered by locals one of the most haunted spots in Oklahoma. November brings with it the Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show, showcasing Celtic and early American music by live performers. An outdoor food court serves up hot home-cooked favorites, while vendors sell locally made quilts, wooden handicrafts and toys, and Oklahoma wine.

Train rides

Visitors to Broken Bow can take a ride on a third-scale replica of the C.P. Huntington S.P. train, built in 1863. Rides are offered twice an hour and take passengers through the local forests to Wahoo Hill in Beavers Bend State Park. Guests can also opt for a horse ride in addition to the train, where guides lead riders through two and a half miles of terrain.

White water sports

The Mountain Fork River in Beavers Bend is popular not just for fishing but also for a variety of white water activities. Canoeing, kayaking, and rafting are all offered by various operators, and the river is rated for both Class I and Class II rapids depending on area. For enthusiasts seeking a greater challenge, Glover River is a more secluded waterway with plenty of opportunities to test yourself.

Go on a zipline adventure

You can embrace your inner daredevil on one of Broken Bow’s ziplines, which span a total of half a mile and can be as high as 60 feet above the ground. The zipline adventures last for around two hours, and provide enchanting views of the area’s woods and mountainscapes at top speed.