In this post, I share what we love about Broken Bow Lake swimming and boating, glamping in Hochatown, and things to do when vacationing in the area.
As a mom who loves to travel with her family, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect spots to unwind and make lasting memories. One of our favorite quick get aways from our North Texas home is the popular destination of Broken Bow Lake in southeastern Oklahoma. This place is a dream come true for anyone who is looking to take a dip in the clear, inviting waters, cruise around on a boat, or try out some glamping in the heart of nature.
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Broken Bow Lake Swimming and Boating
About 8 miles north of the town of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Broken Bow Lake is a draw for outdoor enthusiasts and water lovers. This stunning lake, built in 1970, is located along the Mountain Fork River and boasts deep, clear waters and several swim beaches.
A Glimpse into the Lake’s History and Depths
Broken Bow Lake was designed to harness the beauty and utility of the Mountain Fork River. Today, it stands as a testament to nature and engineering, offering a deep reservoir that beckons adventurers. Our boat’s depth finder registered depths exceeding 150 feet. The depth has made it a hotspot for cliff diving, although caution is necessary. During our stay, we heard from a helicopter pilot that eight people had to be rescued due to landing on rocks while cliff diving in unsuitable areas. Remember safety first with participating in Broken Bow Lake swimming activities.
Boating Adventures
For those eager to explore the lake by water, there are numerous options for renting a paddle boat, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, or paddle boards. Beavers Bend Land & Water Park is a fantastic spot to start your aquatic adventure with plenty of activities. Paddling along the calm coves of the lake, you can experience the serene beauty of the area up close. The coves are known for their still waters, making them perfect for water sports.
We bring our own boat and put in at the Deer Drive boat ramp. It costs us $20 for a two-day pass. We’ve tried to put in at the Beavers Bend Marina, but it was always too crowded. Get in the water early if you want a parking space for your truck and trailer together! We enjoyed, swimming, cliff jumping, knee boarding, and water skiing.
Swimming in Clear Water
Broken Bow Lake swimming conditions make this lake inviting to water sport lovers. The water is impressively clear for a lake, providing a refreshing escape during the hot summer months. There are designated Broken Bow lake swimming areas scattered around the shores, ensuring safe and enjoyable spots for families. We discovered a Broken Bow Lake swimming area on either side of the Beaver’s Bend Marina and the Deer Drive boat ramp. There appeared to be no shortage of places to take a dip from the miles of shoreline around the coves. Stevens Gap at Coyote Dr. is a popular place for swimmers. We even saw one swimmer who appeared to be training for a competition!
Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts will be thrilled with the guided smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and crappie fishing tour available on Broken Bow Lake. This tour offers a great opportunity to catch some of the lake’s plentiful fish while enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Broken Bow lake is also known for it’s rainbow trout that is stocked periodically in the Mountain Fork River. If catfish is more your style, the flathead catfish and channel catfish are known to grow very large in Broken Bow Lake.
Broken Bow Glamping
There are thousands of short-term rental cabins in Broken Bow and the winding roads of Hochatown, Oklahoma. There is no way that I could list them all. Below I have highlighted a few that my family has personally visited and loved. Note: Hochatown, which once was an area of Broken Bow, is now it’s own town. Many of the cabins are in Hochatown. This town is nearest to the lake and benefits from tourism around the area.
Forest Vista Cabin
Our most recent stay was at the Forest Vista Cabin. I can honestly say this was one of our all time favorite vacations. If you’re looking for the perfect getaway, this is the place to be!
Spacious Open Floor Plan
This brand-new vacation home is a dream come true, offering a spacious 2,900 square feet of modern luxury designed for both relaxation and entertainment. As soon as we stepped inside, we were blown away by the expansive open floor plan. The living, dining, and kitchen areas all flow seamlessly together, making it perfect for spending quality time with family. The large windows throughout the cabin flood each room with natural light, and the views of the surrounding forest are simply breathtaking. The kitchen is not only gorgeous, but well stocked, with top-of-the-line appliances.
Dual Master Suites
The bedrooms were beautifully appointed, and the two master suites with king-sized beds were a big hit. Each suite has its own private bathroom, which was great for us since we brought my parents along. They had the same quality bedroom and bathroom as we did, so everyone was comfortable.
Upstairs Children’s suite
Upstairs has a second living area, bathroom, foosball table, balcony with lounge chairs, and a bunk room. The bunk room was perfect for our two kids and could have easily slept four more! The queen-over-king bunk beds gave each of them their own cozy spaces. The second living area made a great room for the kids to set up their video games without disturbing the adult’s living area.
Outdoor amenities
We spent a lot of time on the wrap around porch, back patio, and playing in the private backyard. Having coffee on the back porch and enjoying the beautiful scenery became my morning ritual. The kid’s loved the slide and swings and we all enjoyed making Smore’s in the fire pit. We had a blast playing horseshoes in the yard and getting into some friendly competition with the provided corn hole boards. There’s a private BBQ grill and luxurious hot tub on the back porch where we relaxed each night under the stars.
One of the best parts of the cabin is that it backs up to the Ouachita National Forest, leading to several hiking trails. We saw deer in the woods right behind the house several times, which was such a treat!
Shooting Star Cabin
On a previous stay we enjoyed a pampered experience surrounded in 3300 sf of blue pine at Shooting Star cabin. What stood out to me the most was the true rustic character of the wood that boasts striking protruding knots on the vertical columns.
My favorite part of the house was the game loft and the upstairs children’s‘ sweet. Grey stained bunk beds with two twins on top and two full size beds on bottom, gave my kiddos a different bed to sleep in each night we were there! The game loft has an old school arcade, a shuffle board, and a pool table. All of which are in excellent condition. My kids loved coming across the different games and toys stashed around the cabin throughout our stay. It is obvious that the owners have families in mind.
From rain showers and two person bathtubs to a wrap around porch and an outdoor fireplace we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our stay.
Water Music Cabin
We’ve also had the opportunity to attend a wedding at the beautiful Water Music Cabin. The cabin celebrates music through themed decor complete with a jukebox in the living room. The property behind the cabin made a gorgeous wedding venue and the large back porch provided the perfect wedding reception space.
Woodcreek Lodge
During the wedding we stayed at the Woodcreek Lodge. Being the first time our family stayed in a luxury cabin, we were in awe of it beauty. The most endearing part of this cabin for me was the large front porch swing.
Nearby Attractions in Broken Bow and Hochatown, OK
- If you love hiking, don’t miss the Friends Trail, which boasts stunning waterfalls and is the newest trail to open up in over 15 years. There is also plenty of hiking around Broken Bow lake.
- You can also explore the beautiful Beavers Bend State Park, offering everything from bird watching to tennis, volleyball and miniature golf!
- In the mood for some dining and shopping? Hochatown is just a short drive away and has fantastic options like Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Taproom, Froggy Bottom Kitchen, Shuck Me, and Hochatown Saloon. Sip on local brews at Beavers Bend Brewery or enjoy some locally produced wine at Girls Gone Wine Winery and gift shop. Other trendy boutiques like Hochatime, Savvy Chix, and Shabby Shack give a taste of the area’s unique glamping sass.
- If you’re up for more adventure, try zip-lining, a Broken Bow lake duck tour, a helicopter tour, or taking a train ride or enjoying horseback riding at the Beavers Bend Depot.
- For a bit of fun and entertainment, head over to the Choctaw Casino, The Maze, Forest Heritage Center, Hochatown Rescue Center & Petting Zoo, or go bowling at Utter Choas.
Want a little guidance on your adventures? Try a guided scavenger hunt!
More Fun Things to do in Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Need More Oklahoma Adventures? Check out this post where I highlight Lake Murray and the cities of Ardmore and Oklahoma City!
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Ask questions or tell us about your Broken Bow Lake swimming, boating, and glamping adventures below.
This is such a cool spot, we were looking for some awesome cabins when the family goes to Texas and these look perfect!
These are actually in Oklahoma, but so close to Texas!
I just got back from Broken Bow! We loved our cabin too! It was such a great place to relax!
I see Linnea in the comments, I went with her to Broken Bow and it was such a lovely place to disconnect and relax. The actual lake area is so pretty! 🙂
I want to take our RV to lake some time. It is really beautiful.
What an amazing looking cabin, I love the music decor almost as much as the rustic look of the property. I’m a sucker for a nice cozy cabin but this one is unreal
It really is. There are some many extravagant cabins in Broken Bow.
That cabin looks so cool! The real concept of glamping, in my humble opinion.
Definitely and so relaxing
This looks like such a great place to visit. Thanks for the accommodation options! They look lovely.
Your welcome!
This cabin looks awesome! I’ve never been to OK but I’ve always wanted to go.
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