Beavers Bend State Park is along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. The Kiamichi Mountains, Ouachita National Forest, and Beaver Creek also make up the stunning landscape. Park visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, golf, boating, fishing, water sports, camping, and horseback riding.
Beavers Bend State Park
2023 Price: $10 per vehicle per day
Beavers Bend State Park
The park was named after John T. Beavers, a Choctaw settler who originally owned part of the land. Bend refers to the turn in the river.
We visited on a weekend in mid-October, and it was packed! People were circling trying to find parking. I recommend trying to visit on a weekday.
Hiking Trails
We hiked 3 trails in the park – Forest Heritage Tree Trail, Cedar Bluff Trail, and Friends Trail.
Tree Trail
The Forest Heritage Center Museum has historical documents, dioramas, antique forestry tools, wood art, and more. A huge Native American sculpture, made from a 450-year-old bald cypress tree, sits just outside. Its plaque says the sculptor carved the monument to “raise the nation’s conscience to the plight of the Native Americans.”
From the museum, the 1.1-mile Tree Trail loop starts at a wooden arch. It is a relatively easy trail along Beaver Creek, but it is not hard to lose the path and wander onto another one. Blue blazes mark the path (some sites and maps have this as white, but it has changed).
Cedar Bluff Trail
Cedar Bluff is a 1-mile moderate loop marked with blue blazes. It starts across from the Dogwood campground. Plenty of parking is available along the street.
The route is designed to take the loop clockwise (left at the split) – while it is a challenging trail, it is easier this way. The path zigzags on switchbacks up the ridgeline. Going counterclockwise is a prolonged uphill climb.
Near the end of the trail are views of the Mountain Fork River including a bluff with a bench. This is the main image people know about this trail. Kayaks were moving along the river when we visited.
Friends Trail
Friends Trail has a large gravel parking lot near the dam. It was almost full during our visit and the trail was crowded. Lots of people wade into the river to explore or use it as a pool.
The 1.5-mile moderate loop offers views of the Lower Mountain Fork River and its cascades. It is marked with orange blazes.
At the fork, going right gets the steep climb out of the way at the start. If you just want to explore the shoreline, take a left at the fork.
There is a lot more to see and do at Beavers Bend State Park. You can easily spend a longer trip exploring the whole park. Consider the auto and walking tour of Beavers Bend’s historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) structures.
Another interesting journey for the Mother/Daughter hiking partners. Where are the waterfalls? Again, beautiful pictures of all there was to see. Thank you.