Mission briefing · Area guide
Things to do in Broken Bow & Hochatown
Your field guide to Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend State Park, Hochatown and the Ouachita National Forest — from the hosts of Space Cowboy Cabin, about 15 minutes north of the Hochatown strip.
Broken Bow Lake
About 14,000 acres of clear, deep water ringed by pine-covered hills — the reason most people come to McCurtain County. Rent a pontoon or kayak, find a sandy cove for swimming, or fish for bass. Marinas and boat rentals are clustered around the south end near Beavers Bend. From Space Cowboy: about 15 minutes to the nearest lake access.
Beavers Bend State Park
Oklahoma's most-visited state park sits on the Mountain Fork River just below the Broken Bow Dam. Hike the Cedar Bluff and David Boren trails, visit the Forest Heritage Center, ride the Beavers Bend Depot train or saddle up for a guided trail ride. Hochatown State Park was folded into Beavers Bend in 2017, so you'll see both names. Cedar Creek Golf Course offers 18 holes in the pines.
Trout fishing on the Lower Mountain Fork River
The cold tailwater below the dam is stocked with rainbow and brown trout year-round, making it one of the best fly-fishing spots in the region. Check the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for license and trout-area rules before you go.
ATV trails in the Ouachita National Forest
North Hochatown borders the Ouachita National Forest, with miles of forest roads and designated OHV routes. At Space Cowboy, you can ride straight from the property — no trailer needed. Riders must stay on routes shown on the USDA Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), follow Oklahoma OHV laws and wear helmets (required under 18). Don't have a machine? Rent from outfitters in Hochatown such as Bandits ATV & Boat Rental, Captain's Hideaway Powersports or Broken Bow Slingshots.
Stargazing near Broken Bow
Far from big-city light, the forest north of Hochatown gets genuinely dark skies on clear, moonless nights. Best bets: the Perseid meteor shower (mid-August), the Geminids (mid-December), and any new-moon weekend for the Milky Way from late spring through early fall. Space Cowboy has a telescope in the stargazing dome and another in the cabin.
Hochatown: food, drinks & fun
- Breweries, wine & spirits: Beavers Bend Brewery, Mountain Fork Brewery, Hochatown Distilling Co. and local wine-tasting rooms.
- Live music & dinner: Hochatown Saloon on weekends.
- Family fun: Rugaru Adventures zipline, Hochatown Rescue Center & Petting Zoo, the Maze of Hochatown, mini golf, go-karts, bowling and escape rooms for rainy days.
- Shopping: boutiques, candy shops and souvenir stops all along US-259.
When to visit
| Season | Why go |
|---|---|
| Spring | Dogwoods, waterfalls running full, mild hiking weather. |
| Summer | Lake days, river floats, Perseid meteor shower. |
| Fall | Peak foliage usually late October to mid-November — book early. |
| Winter | Christmas and New Year's cabin trips, sauna + hot tub nights, Geminids in December. |
Getting here
| From | Approx. drive to the cabin |
|---|---|
| Texarkana | ~1.75 hours |
| Shreveport | ~3 hours |
| Dallas | ~3.5 hours (I-30 E → US-259 N) |
| Tulsa | ~3.75 hours (Indian Nation Turnpike) |
| Fort Worth | ~4 hours |
| Little Rock | ~4 hours |
| Oklahoma City | ~4.25 hours |
| Houston | ~5.25 hours |
Times are estimates and vary with traffic. Cell service is spotty north of Hochatown — download offline maps before you leave.
Where to stay
Looking for a Broken Bow cabin that's an attraction in itself? Space Cowboy Cabin sleeps 12 with a geodesic stargazing dome suite, hot tub, barrel sauna, arcade, private pickleball and ATV trails from the door. Check dates and book direct.