Broken Bow and Hochatown with Kids

Southeast Oklahoma is an outdoor adventure paradise! It’s situated near the Ouachita National Forest, with beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains. There are tons of unique places to stay, including all kinds of cabins. It’s a great family vacation spot and there are so many things to do in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids. Keep reading for our favorite place to stay and all the ways you can make some great vacation memories.

We received a hosted stay at Willow Creek Cabin in exchange for social media posts, but the opinions expressed are our own.

A luxurious cabin getaway.

There are hundreds of places to stay in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids. We had the opportunity to stay at the brand new Willow Creek Cabin in Hochatown. It was built by Osburn Building Company and designed by Suzy Osburn. It’s absolutely stunning! The cabin is situated way down a gravel road, on a creek. It can sleep up to ten people (with double bed occupancy). When you walk in, you are greeted with huge sloping ceilings and stunning decor, with natural elements and details that add to the overall sense of peaceful coziness. The master suite is spectacular and features luxury bedding on the king size bed, a double vanity bathroom sink, gorgeous freestanding tub, and walk in double head shower.

The perfect kids area.

The upstairs area at Willow Creek Cabin is a kids dream! There are two sets of built in bunk beds, each with full size beds on top and bottom. Books and toys fill the shelves, and there are lots of charming nature influenced details. Each bunk has it’s own light for reading. There is a full bathroom upstairs as well, with double sinks. All of the details are so well thought out and the decor is charming and whimsical. My children had so much fun playing and relaxing in their own space. It was really nice that they had their own bathroom upstairs as well.

More amenities at Willow Creek.

The kitchen at Willow Creek cabin is a full gourmet kitchen with everything you’d need to cook a wonderful meal. You can enjoy it as a family inside, or outside. The covered back deck has a large dining table, plus a grill, fireplace, seating area, outdoor games, and a hot tub. Farther out in the back, there is a walkway down to a large fire pit, creek side swings, and a place to play horseshoes. Both the indoor and outdoor fireplaces are on a timer and easy to turn on and off. The designers thought of everything at Willow Creek and it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a vacation in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids. For a little more of the cabin, check out a reel HERE.

Hiking adventures.

There are lots of places to hike in this area. But, our favorite place to hike in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids is Beavers Bend State Park. The park is home to a wonderful nature center and history museum. Beavers Bend also has a campground, cabins for rent, a swimming area, paddle board and kayak rentals, and ranger led programs in the summer months. The state park also has a restaurant.

Our favorite hiking trail is Skyline Trail, which is rated as difficult. It’s a 9 mile trail that includes every trail at Beavers Bend and circles the park. Plan for an entire day if you’re doing that trail and be sure to pack the ten essentials. For an easier hike that will get you right next to a river and waterfall, check out the Friends Trail. This hike is an easy 1.5 mile loop with little elevation change. For a quick and steep hike to a great over look, try the one mile Cedar Bluff Nature Trail. Another easy hike is the just over 1 mile Tree Trail hike.

Be aware that in the spring months, as well as after a heavy rain, the area around the rivers and creeks are prone to flash flooding. A siren will sound and you should exit and get to higher ground immediately. Also, there is a $10 per day parking fee you can pay using an app. Another app I would recommend: the AllTrails app for finding hikes and checking maps.

Outdoor adventures.

There are a lot of ways to play outdoors in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids. In addition to Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake, there are some fun attractions you won’t find anywhere else. The Maze of Hochatown is a 29,000 square foot wooden maze that’s fun for all ages. They have added a shade structure so it’s more enjoyable in the summer heat. Check out a video of the maze HERE. Right next to the maze is the brand new Chili Dippers Golf Club, an 18 hole luxury mini golf course. The course is a lot of fun and it’s actually pretty challenging. There is a concessions stand and covered seating to take a break between holes.

Here are some more adventures in Broken Bow and Hochatown.

More outdoor things to do in the area:

• Rugaru Adventures – Zipline and Swincar
• Old West Town Mini Golf
• Paddle SUP – Stand up paddle board rental
• Bigfoot Speedway – Go Karts
• Wild Goose Canoe and Kayak rentals
• Yippi Kayo Kayaks – Kayak rentals
• Tippa Canoe – Canoe rentals and shuttles
• Fishing and fishing guides
• Beavers Bend Safari Park – Drive through safari park

Fun shops to visit.

There are no shortages of fun and unique shops in the Broken Bow and Hochatown area. In fact, there are new ones opening all the time! There are a few shopping centers in the area, one of the newest is the Local 259. It has a market with a variety of groceries and to go meal options, a candy shop, a children’s boutique, and a gift shop. There are also a few food trucks and a really great spot to hang out and relax. Just up the road is the Hochabow, a new mixed use development that will soon have a coffee shop and restaurant. It’s a beautiful place. Looking for gift shops? There are plenty. Be sure to check out the brand new Hochatown Mountain Co, and while you’re there walk next door to Sasquatch’s Candy Den. I’m sorry in advance for the sugar overload. Don’t miss the cute photo op on the outside of the building. Two more fun gift shops to check out: Cabin Daddy and Hochatime Hideaway.

Restaurants and dining options.

There are plenty of places to eat in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids. One of our all time favorites is Grateful Head pizza. They also have a location in Hot Springs. It’s a great place to eat at or order to go, and they have a gluten free crust option! One of the nicest places in town to eat is Abendigos, but be sure to make a reservation ahead of time in the summer months or on weekends when it’s busy. There’s also a coffee shop and gift store open during the daytime. Another fun spot to eat with kids is The Eat Out, which has a great outdoor patio area with vintage campers you can eat in! They have a veggie burger and gluten free bread option. For coffee, treats, and ice cream, try Okie Girls Coffee and Ice Cream or Hochatown Coffee Central, which has a super cute gift shop right next door. Local Habit Coffee will be opening soon in the Hochabow shopping center.

A nearby museum.

If you’re looking for a more educational adventure option in the area, there are two museums close by. The Forest Heritage Museum is actually located in Beavers Bend State Park and features art galleries and incredible dioramas with the history and heritage of the southeast Oklahoma area. Nearby in Idabel, Oklahoma is the Museum of the Red River. This museum is free admission and has a full scale skeleton of the state dinosaur of Oklahoma, the Acrocanthosaurus. It also features one of the largest collections of southeastern indigenous basketry and pottery. They have educational prorams throughout the year, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates.

A vacation in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids.

Southeast Oklahoma is a vacation destination for families. It has something for kids (and adults) of all ages. Whether you want action packed outdoor adventures, or just time to relax, you’ll find it in Hochatown and Broken Bow. It’s a short drive from several metropolitan areas, but it’s a world away and completely peaceful. I hope you get to plan a little getaway to the area with your family, let me know if you go!