Ask a Texan their favorite vacation spot and you might be surprised to hear it’s on the north side of the Red River: Beavers Bend, Oklahoma.
Wide open spaces, jaw-dropping luxury cabins, and a mountain oasis that’ll have you asking, “Are you sure this is Oklahoma?” It’s no wonder Texans are taking the short road trip for their family vacations, girls trips, and woodsy bachelor weekends. In fact, the Broken Bow area has become so popular with our southern cousins that you’ll probably see more Texas license plates here than any other state.
So, if you’re planning a weekend trip of your own, keep reading to learn why stars like Carrie Underwood and the Real Housewives of Dallas can’t get enough of this Sooner State slice of paradise.
Save the Miles for Another Trip
No need to buy a plane ticket or build out an extra long road trip playlist for this vacation. Beavers Bend and its cabin getaways are only around three hours away from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. All you need’s a tank of gas to get here from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Flower Mound, or anywhere in between. And we can’t forget down south. Houston’s just a five-hour drive to a lot more freetime and a lot less freeway, and a road trip from Austin will get you here in about six hours. Just enough time to grab some beaver nuggets on your way to Beavers Bend State Park.
Texas-Sized Cabins
Not everything’s bigger in Texas. One reason Lone Star State residents can’t get enough of Beavers Bend is the famously lux cabin rentals. You’ll find over 3,000 of them here in cabin country, ranging from massive hideaways to two-person love shacks. Maybe that’s why some have even called Beavers Bend “the Hamptons of North Texas.”
Don’t expect your grandpa’s log cabin though. Beavers Bend’s cabins are tucked away on private acreage with all the amenities. We’re talking king-size suites and pool tables, cozy movie theaters, and chef’s kitchens with any appliance you could need. Some even have special amenities like indoor slides, putting greens, and private fishing ponds. And we can’t forget the hot tubs. Almost every cabin comes standard with one. Some even have swimming pools if lakes aren’t your thing (though Broken Bow Lake is hard to pass up).
We did say Texans love us, so if you’re planning a visit, be sure to book your cabin a few months out. Just like our activities, cabin rentals fill up fast.
Mountain Vibes on Central Time
There’s a lot of beauty in Texas, but you won’t find anything as lush as Beavers Bend in the suburbs of DFW or the plains of North Texas. For many Texans-on-the-go, the laid back nature of Beavers Bend State Park is a welcome change of pace. The sunswept Kiamichi Mountains. The towering timbers of the Ouachita National Forest. The winding Lower Mountain Fork River. Time moves a little slower, but the beauty and outdoor activities sure don’t.
In a single day in Beavers Bend State Park, you could kayak through the cypress trees, fly fish for record rainbow trout, hike over a dozen scenic trails, zoom through the forest on a mountain biking tour — and still make it home in time for gourmet s’mores around the campfire.
Word to the wise: reserve your must-do Beavers Bend activities ahead of time, especially in the spring and summer. Slots fill up fast for popular activities like ziplining and guided fishing excursions, and some activities are reservation only.
All the Creature Comforts
You don’t have to be outdoorsy to love the outdoors. Even here in the sticks, you can count on all the luxury you’re used to down in The Big D and H-Town.
In just 24 hours, your itinerary might include embracing your inner Yachtie for a day on one of Oklahoma’s biggest and most beautiful lakes. Reeling in a rainbow trout with a private fly fishing guide. Hitting a hole-in-one while spotting a bald eagle at Cedar Creek Golf Course, and chowing down on Wagyu steaks from Mountain Man Meat Market, seared to perfection on your cabin’s porch by a private chef. Aside from the luxury cabins and roaring hot tubs under a starry sky, in-cabin massages and local winery tastings are other favorite ways to live large too.
Texan-Approved BBQ
Down here in southeastern Oklahoma, we’re giving Texas barbecue a run for its money. Led by chef Tabb “Phat Tabb” Singleton, Phat Tabb’s BBQ in Idabel is at the top of many foodies’ must-eat list. Be sure to stop in early before they run out of food for the day. Another fan favorite is Rock Bottom Boyz BBQ in Hochatown (people dream about their smoked potato salad). And just down the street, Truckin Good BBQ’s ribs and sandwiches will satisfy your BBQ craving too. They even offer breakfast all day long.
Not in the mood for barbecue? Beavers Bend’s cuisine has you covered. Steakhouses and seafood, Italian restaurants, burger joints, Oklahoma’s best chicken fried steak. One thing’s for sure, no Texan’s going back down south hungry.
Get Here Already!
Every weekend’s a good one for a quick Texas road trip. Be sure to download the Visit Beavers Bend app before you hit the road to get the best of Beavers Bend’s activities, dining, and parks right in your pocket.
Looks like your neighbor just booked a trip. Guess you better book your Beavers Bend cabin and get here already too!
