Broken Bow brings together nature, wildlife and culture in a variety of ways. Beavers Bend State Park offers a long hiking trail and river rides; there are also museums, wildlife viewing, train and horseback rides, and an annual festival. To help plan your visit, first decide whether you want to focus on time outdoors, wildlife or cultural history.

Nature and Water at Beavers Bend State Park

Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow lies on the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. The park includes the 26-mile David Boren Hiking Trail; visitors can also take river rides there. At 26 miles, the trail is an extensive hiking option and a useful starting point when planning your time for outdoor activities. A river ride offers a different focus: you experience the park on the water rather than along a long hiking route.

Close-Up Wildlife Encounters and Exhibits

The Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum introduces visitors to wildlife through exhibits. Eleven dioramas show wildlife habitats; the museum also provides information about the natural ranges and feeding habits of native animals. Exhibits about African animals broaden the subject matter. At the Small Animal Walkabout, visitors get close-up views of a variety of animals; selected animals can be fed. The Beavers Bend Safari Park offers another kind of experience: visitors drive along the 1.8-mile safari route. The difference can help guide your choice: the museum focuses on exhibits and information, the Walkabout on close-up wildlife viewing and selected feeding opportunities, and the safari on driving along the route.

Train and Horseback Rides

The rides also differ in how you get around and what you can plan for. The Beavers Bend Depot stables offer a one-hour horseback ride over 2.5 miles of scenic terrain. A Beavers Bend Depot train ride travels through a natural forest area to Wahoo Hill in Beavers Bend State Park. The depot also offers rides on a one-third-scale replica of the C.P. Huntington S.P. train, whose original was built in 1863. The horseback ride provides specific details—one hour and 2.5 miles—while the train ride combines a forest route with a named destination. The year 1863 refers to the construction date of the original train.

Forest History and Culture

The Forest Heritage Center is a museum in a round building and displays antique forestry tools. Its circular design distinguishes the museum architecturally, while the tools provide a concrete connection to forestry. At the Gardner Mansion & Museum, visitors can explore local culture. The Kiamichi Owa-Chito Festival is another annual event for visitors to Broken Bow. If you would like to include the festival in your plans, check the dates for the year of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Valliant, Idabel.

Go to the main travel overview: Mccurtain County.