In the mountains of southeast Oklahoma, you’ll find the beautiful Beavers Bend State Park located along the banks of the Mountain Fork River. With all the picturesque scenery of mountains, trees, and forests, it’s no wonder that this park is one of Oklahoma’s most popular areas.
When you visit, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. Take a hike, ride your bike, bring your horse for a ride, take the canoe out on the lake, or do some fishing. You can also play a few rounds of golf at Cedar Creek Golf Course located here, or try your hand at volleyball or tennis. There’s plenty to keep you entertained when you bring your RV and stay for a few days.
The best part is that the park stays open all year long, so you can experience it all whenever you want. When you visit during the summer, you can expect hot temperatures in the 80s and 90s. The weather really cools down in the winter, though, dropping to about freezing temperatures. Keep this in mind if you plan to come during the off-season as some amenities may be winterized.
There’s no bad time to bring your RV to Beavers Bend State Park, so what are you waiting for?
Beavers Creek State Park lies about 10 miles north of Broken Bow along US-259. Turn off onto the OK-259-A and drive about four miles to the park entrance. This road is narrow, so you'll want to drive a little slower. Slower driving means that you can take in the scenery along the way, so why not take your time and see everything around you?
While there are some relatively narrow roads and bridges located all through the park, you should still have no problems getting around in your RV. Tree branches and overgrowth can sometimes get in the way, but the park does a good job of keeping it all trimmed back so that you won’t have any complications. There is plenty of parking available all through the park, so you should be able to find parking for your RV as well. In case the park begins to get full, there is overflow parking available.
There are eight different camping areas in the park where you can RV camp, and altogether, there are 393 campsites for RVing. RV sites can vary in amenities, but all sites are guaranteed to have water and both 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. There is also a dump station located nearby. If you want to have full hookups, reserve your stay at the Turkey camping area, located along the lake. Some sites are back-in only, while others are pull-though. If your RV is fairly large, have no worries—the campsites at Beavers Bend State Park can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length. Whichever area you decide to camp in, you will enjoy your stay.
The park has group camps that can accommodate 100 and 125 guests, respectively. Both have fully equipped commercial kitchens with walk-in refrigerators, a hall with tables and chairs, rooms with bunk beds, and a group bathhouse with separate facilities for men and women. Both group camps have special accommodations for RVs with electric 30- or 50-amp hookups. The group camping area also has basketball, volleyball, and horseshoes available for campers to use.
If you decided that you want a change of pace, park the RV and stay at one of the cabins located throughout the park. There are 47 cabins to choose from, and each one provides a kitchenette for your convenience. They range in size and style and are all situated in private forest settings, some offering river views. There are one or two pet-friendly cabins where your pet can join you for a small fee.
If you didn’t have time to make reservations, there is no need to fret. Beavers Bend State Park has sites that are available for walk-up as well as for reservation. In fact, there are over 130 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. These sites are just as good as the ones that you can reserve. They have 30 and 50-amp electric hookups, as well as water hookups, and you can still use the dump station. These sites also hold RVs that are up to 50 feet long, and you can choose a back-in or pull-through site. You’ll have everything you could possibly need for a nice vacation, without having to make any reservations.
Maybe you’d like to go in the other direction and try something less luxurious. There are 50 campsites available that are for tents only, so bring your camping gear and get out there. Some campgrounds allocated for tenting are more primitive than others, so take a drive through the park and choose a campsite that best suits your needs. There are four campgrounds for tenting along the river and four along the side of the lake to choose from.
For a fully-appointed stay, try the Lakeview Lodge instead. The lodge is situated on the edge of Broken Bow Lake and has 40 luxurious rooms. Thirty-six of these are rooms, and four are suites. If you’d like a picture-perfect view of the lake from your room, this is the best place to stay. The Lodge has conference facilities and a warm stone fireplace in the Great Room, where a free continental breakfast is served every morning.
There are all kinds of activities to get into at the Nature Center at Beavers Bend State Park. Get to learn all about nature and wildlife that makes its home right here in the park. With hands-on activities available and wonderful exhibits of the local wildlife, nature, and art, this center is well worth visiting. Various seasonal events and activities are on offer throughout the year, waiting to be enjoyed by everyone, both young and old.
Broken Bow Lake offers fantastic opportunities for boating, especially during the warmer months. You can even rent a pontoon boat, jetski, or houseboat at the marina and set yourself up for a fun time out on one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in the USA. At your own pace, you can enjoy many of the private coves that can be found along the shore, have a swim, and take in the panoramic views. There is something for everyone to do on the water; whatever you need, this park has it. Remember to acquaint yourself with Oklahoma boat safety requirements before your time on the lake.
Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats aren’t the only things available for rent at the park. You can also rent ski boats, jet skis, and water toys. The lake is spacious, and the water is clear, making it a great place to enjoy some water fun. Water skiing is something that can be a lot of fun, whether you’re a professional water skier or are trying it out for the very first time. Renting all the equipment means you don't have to cart it along with you in the motorhome, and you can try something you haven't done before without making any huge investments.
If you’ve brought your own canoe, kayak, or paddleboat, you can take it out on the water for a relaxing time. And even if you didn’t bring your own, you can rent one of these boats from the park, so you don’t have to miss out on a great opportunity. From the water, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains and forests, and you can stop whenever you like to take a swim or explore the coves and creeks.
The summertime is the best time to take a dip in cool and refreshing waters, and you can do just that when you visit Beavers Bend State Park. Both the river and Broken Bow Lake are perfect areas to cool off from the heat of the summer. There are a few designated swimming areas along the shoreline of the lake and river, and you may swim anywhere in the lake. An added bonus is that the water here is exceptionally clear and clean.
There are lots of opportunities for hiking at Beavers Bend. Get out there and explore all that nature has to offer, by hitting the trails. And when you come hiking during the offseason when it’s a little bit cooler outside, you won’t have to worry about crowds of people—or even bugs. The David Boren Trail is 16-miles long and divided into seven trails that vary in difficulty and terrain. There are also a few nature trails to enjoy. Those looking for an easy nature walk will enjoy the 0.75 mile Pine Ridge Trail. It is a lovely stroll through the pine and hardwood forest. Experienced hikers will enjoy the challenge of the seven-mile-long Skyline Trail, which covers very steep terrain.
The Cedar Creek Golf Course is the park's onsite golf course. Here, you can play an 18-hole game while enjoying one of the most scenic courses in Oklahoma. Cedar Creek runs through the golf course providing natural hazards along the course. The creek paired with the pine trees and meandering wildlife help to create a scenic game. Beavers Bend State Park really does have something for everyone—who doesn’t love a good game of golf? There is even mini-golf for those who'd like to enjoy a miniature version of the game.
The beautiful Mountain Fork River is a great place to try your hand at fly-fishing. Brown trout and rainbow trout are released into the river every other week as this is a year-round trout fishery. Trout love the cold water and respond well to small spinners and jigs and live bait. Broken Bow Lake also provides the perfect fishing opportunities for anyone that loves the sport. There is an abundance of sunfish, trout, crappie, walleye, striped bass, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass to catch, and the scenery is breathtaking. Make sure to find out about fishing regulations, licensing, and limits before you head out.
Beavers Bend State Park is a beautiful place to explore on horseback, and you're welcome to bring your horse into the park for the day. The park also offers horseback riding for those who don't have their own horses. Trail rides are generally an hour long at a slow, comfortable pace. The trails that wind through the park are beautiful and serene, and there is a good chance you'll spot some deer and other small animals along the way.
Many of the trails are also open to biking, so if you’ve brought your own bike, now is the time to use it. Routes vary in length and difficulty, and everyone who enjoys mountain biking will find a path they enjoy. This is definitely one of the most scenic parks to ride in with beautiful views over the lake, river, and forest as you go along. Mountain bikers share the trails with hikers, so ride cautiously. Stay safe by wearing a helmet and watching for obstacles in your path.