Beavers Bend State Park

State: Oklahoma. Type: 3,482-acre state park (Beavers Bend Resort Park) in McCurtain County, about 8-10.5 miles north of Broken Bow. Established 1937 (construction began 1935 under the Civilian Conservation Corps); absorbed neighboring Hochatown State Park in 2017. Sits on Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.

Beavers Bend State Park occupies a stretch of the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma, built around the Mountain Fork River's sharp bend (which gives the park its name) and the shoreline of the 14,000-acre Broken Bow Lake. Established in the 1930s with Civilian Conservation Corps labor, the park is named for John T. Beavers, a Choctaw settler who once owned land in the area. In 2017 it absorbed the adjoining Hochatown State Park, folding more of the Broken Bow Lake shoreline and the surrounding Hochatown resort community into the park's footprint. The Forest Heritage Center museum on-site displays 14 dioramas on regional forestry created by artist Harry Rossoll. With forested hills, a cold-water trout stream, a large reservoir and miles of hiking trails, Beavers Bend draws both day-trippers and multi-night visitors, and it consistently ranks among Oklahoma's most-visited state parks.

The park's address is 4350 S. Beaver Lodge Rd, Broken Bow, OK 74728, in McCurtain County in far southeastern Oklahoma. It sits roughly 8 miles north of Broken Bow via Hwy 259, then east on Hwy 259A, adjacent to the Hochatown community and Broken Bow Lake.

Southeastern Oklahoma has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, wetter overall than much of the rest of the state due to its location in the Ouachita Mountains. Specific temperature and rainfall figures for the park were not confirmed from the sources fetched for this entry.

Spring and fall bring milder temperatures for hiking and are popular for fall foliage in the surrounding Ouachita forest. Eagle-watching season runs November through February. Summer is peak season for river floating, swimming and lake activities despite the heat.

The park's roots go back to 1935, when construction began with Civilian Conservation Corps labor, and it was formally established in 1937. It is named for John T. Beavers, a Choctaw settler who originally owned land along the river bend. In 2017, the park absorbed the neighboring Hochatown State Park, consolidating more of the Broken Bow Lake shoreline under one park designation. The Forest Heritage Center, a museum on-site featuring 14 dioramas by artist Harry Rossoll, documents the region's forestry history.

Popular activities include trout and fly fishing on the Mountain Fork River, canoeing and kayaking, river float trips, hiking and biking the David L. Boren Trail (16 miles, with 4 miles multi-purpose), horseback riding, scuba diving, archery, tennis, golf, and eagle watching (November-February). The Forest Heritage Center museum and a nature center round out the indoor options.

The Forest Heritage Center museum, Broken Bow Lake with its hydroelectric plant, the Mountain Fork River's namesake bend, and the David L. Boren Trail network are the park's signature features. The adjacent Hochatown community, absorbed into the park in 2017, adds further lake-access points.

The park is about 200 miles (roughly 3.5 hours) from Oklahoma City via US-69 and US-259, about 220 miles (roughly 4 hours) from Tulsa, and about 180 miles (roughly 3 hours) from Dallas via US-75 and US-259. A personal or rental vehicle is effectively required, as there is no public transit serving the park directly.

The park grounds are open 24/7; the park office keeps hours of approximately 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Confirm current office hours and any seasonal facility schedules before visiting.

General park entry is free, but a daily vehicle permit applies: $8 for Oklahoma-plated vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles, per aggregated state-park information; an $80 annual Oklahoma State Parks pass is also available. Trout fishing requires a daily fishing license (around $12) plus a trout permit. State park cabins run roughly $100-$250/night and campgrounds roughly $20-$35/night, with the on-site Lakeview Lodge around $150-$250/night; confirm current rates on the official park booking channel before publishing or booking, since these figures come from an aggregator rather than the park's own reservation system.

Many visitors stay a weekend to several days given the range of lake, river and trail activities; a focused day trip covering the museum, a short trail and the lake shoreline is also feasible.

The park itself offers a lodge (Lakeview Lodge/Beavers Bend Lodge), cabins, and multiple campgrounds with RV and tent sites. The adjacent Hochatown community, now part of the park's footprint, adds a large concentration of private cabin rentals. Broken Bow, about 8-10 miles south, offers additional chain and independent lodging.

Hochatown, immediately adjacent to the park, has grown into a dining and cabin-rental hub with a range of casual restaurants; Broken Bow, a short drive south, adds further dining options. Specific restaurant names were not confirmed from the sources fetched for this entry.

Broken Bow town center sits about 8-10 miles south. The wider Hochatown resort community adjoins the park directly. Broken Bow Lake's full shoreline extends well beyond the park boundary for additional access points.

There is no rail or scheduled bus service to the park; the nearest commercial airports are well outside the immediate area, and a personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach and get around the park.

River and lake conditions can change quickly, especially around the dam-controlled Mountain Fork River, so check current water release schedules before floating or fishing. Wear a life jacket for paddling and boating activities. In forested trail areas, be alert for wildlife and ticks. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellent, layered clothing (temperatures can swing between the river valley and open lake areas), a life jacket for water activities, and a fishing license if trout fishing.

Book cabins, the lodge, or campsites well ahead for weekends and summer, since Beavers Bend is one of Oklahoma's most-visited state parks. Check current Mountain Fork River water-release schedules before a float or fishing trip. Combine a museum stop at the Forest Heritage Center with a shorter trail segment if time is limited.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park office can be reached at (580) 494-6300, per aggregated official park information.

Oklahoma State Parks (TravelOK) - https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/beavers-bend-state-park

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.