We didn’t make any official New Year’s resolutions for 2020, but if we had, “more Oklahoma travel” probably would have made the list. Since moving to Oklahoma City, our in-state travel has mostly been relegated to exploring our hometown. Don’t get me wrong, there’s enough to do in OKC to keep us busy for years to come, but we’re also interested in seeing what the rest of the Sooner State has to offer. So for our anniversary last year, we took a quick road trip to Broken Bow in southeast Oklahoma.
Broken Bow has been on my radar for years. This lush corner of Oklahoma defies the stereotype that our state is flat, dry and boring. (And really, that stereotype needs to go anyway. It’s not true and not very nice.)
How to Spend a Weekend in Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow was the perfect quick, scenic weekend trip for our anniversary. It checked all the boxes: romance, hiking, plenty of accommodation options and, of course, local food and drink. Let’s dig into how we spent our anniversary weekend in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
Where to Stay
Broken Bow is a pretty popular spot for a quick getaway, not just among Oklahomans but with Texans and Arkansans as well. There’s something for everyone, from the nature lover to the foodie. It’s also a popular destination for weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties. That said, it’s good to book your trip well in advance if you can.
Broken Bow is filled to the brim with beautiful cabins, each with its own unique vibe. A quick Google search will yield dozens of results for cabins in the area, but Hidden Hills Cabins really stood out to us for their beautiful interiors. It was our anniversary trip after all, and a little luxury goes a long way.
We stayed in the Blue Moon cabin, situated near Hochatown, a cute little town with shops, restaurants and breweries. We had an excellent experience with our Hidden Hills Cabin and highly recommend if you want to be close to all of the action in Broken Bow without sacrificing the comforts of home. However, whenever we go back (which I hope is soon!) I’m curious to try some of the “glamping” options in the area.
If you’re looking to “rough it” a little bit, there are a lot of options for that as well from basic cabins to camping. Broken Bow truly is a choose-your-own-adventure destination.
What To Do in Broken Bow
While it would be perfectly acceptable to check into your cabin or set up your campsite and just sit back and enjoy your peaceful surroundings all weekend, there are activities aplenty to keep you occupied as well. Here are a few of our recommendations for what to do with a weekend in Broken Bow.
Drink Local Brews
There’s something about grabbing a beer made in the town you’re visiting that really sets the tone for a good trip. You’re supporting local business, drinking a good brew and you have the chance to chat with your bartender or fellow patrons about what else you should do during your visit.
Broken Bow features two local breweries that should definitely be on your list of places to visit when in the area, Beavers Bend Brewery and Mountain Fork Brewery.
Beaver’s Bend features a massive multi-level space with games, views of the area and of course, lots of beer. We recommend doing a flight to see what you like before setting up for a game of corn hole.
Mountain Fork Brewery is another must-stop on your local brew itinerary. This brewery has more of a bar feel and also serves pizza and sandwiches. We stopped in for lunch on Saturday to taste a few beers and eat, and we had a great time.
Beer from Beavers Bend and Mountain Fork is also available at pretty much every restaurant in town. So even if you don’t make it to an actual brewery, it’s easy enough to drink local while you’re in town.
Take a Hike
Broken Bow is a nature lover’s paradise, and no matter what season you visit, you’re going to want to get outside and enjoy it. Beavers Bend State Park and Hochatown State Park offer dozens of trails to meet any skill level.
We opted for an early morning hike on the Lakeview Lodge Trail at Beavers Bend to beat the August heat. This trail makes for a nice, quick hike with lots of tree cover and views of Broken Bow Lake. Whatever hike you choose, you’ll be in awe of how lush and green this area of Oklahoma really is!
Go to the Lake
Broken Bow Lake, a reservoir on the Mountain Fork River, is the glittery blue centerpiece of this little slice of Oklahoma paradise. Any visit to Broken Bow requires a trip to the lake whether it be by boat, a hike on the shore or a picnic in one of its many recreation areas.
We had grand plans of renting a boat for an afternoon during our trip, but the threat of rain held us off. Next time we’re in the area, a boat day will definitely be a top priority. But even on dry land, we couldn’t get enough of this beautiful, clear lake.
Eat Fried Chicken at Blue Rooster
Our cabin rental had such a great kitchen that we ended up eating most of our meals there. There was, however, one dining experience we couldn’t pass up while in town. Blue Rooster is an adorable Southern restaurant serving up comfort food classics. They have excellent fried chicken that comes with all the fixings. Don’t miss it!
Sip on Local Spirits
Beer isn’t the only local libation on offer in Broken Bow. Hochatown Distilling Company offers hand-crafted artisan spirits that you can taste at The Tasting Room, a full-service bar situated next to the distillery. We tried their Spear Point Vodka in a dirty martini and enjoyed chatting with our bartender and playing board games on a rainy afternoon. Tom also tried their whiskey that had recently been released. He said it was good but a bit young, having only been aged in the barrel for 2 years, but that it was pretty cool to taste a local Oklahoman whiskey. The Tasting Room also offers a full lineup of more popular liquors as well as beer and wine.
Prefer to sip on wine? You’ll definitely want to check out Girls Gone Wine for a wine tasting and some shopping in their quirky gift shop.
Please drink responsibly. Hochatown Shuttle Services are available in the area to keep you safe.
Thanks for a great time, Broken Bow!
Our first Oklahoma road trip was a resounding success, and we’ve been thinking about a return visit to Broken Bow ever since. We hope you’ve enjoyed these travel tips for a weekend in Broken Bow. Stay tuned for more of our travel adventures and more Oklahoma explorations!
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