Beavers Bend State Park is a favorite retreat for many churches in the region, and it’s no wonder—if you’re looking for evidence of God in nature, Beavers Bend would be a great place to start. From the towering pines and verdant rolling hills of the Ouachita Forest to the crisp, clear waters of the Mountain Fork River and the majestic waterfowl of the Red Slough, signs of a higher power abound. Beavers Bend is the ideal place for your congregation, Bible study, singles class, or youth group to lay down the material distractions of society, find communion and fellowship with other believers, and enjoy the vast playground of the creation.
Lodging Accommodations
Numerous cabin rental companies in the area offer a host of lodging accommodations, with furnished cabin options ranging from economical 2-4 person single-room structures to mansions-in-the-woods that can sleep 15-18 people and include large, fully functional kitchens, wireless internet, flatscreen televisions, game rooms, hot tubs, and outdoor firepits. Many of these companies offer package rates for groups of cabins that can often house as many as 50-80 people altogether, so you can be sure your entire group can share the experience together.
Though the luxurious lodging is enough to make anyone wanna stay inside, outdoor adventures beckon at every turn around the Beavers Bend.
Outdoor Activities
Patient believers can bond and meditate over the serenity of trout angling in the Mountain Fork—one of the best year-round fly fishing spots in the country—or boat trawling in Broken Bow Lake. Intrepid wanderers can explore miles and miles of hiking trails that run the gamut from leisurely morning walks to all-day endurance challenges on varied, wild terrain. Lake lovers can boat, canoe, kayak, water ski, jet ski, or scuba dive in one of several bodies of water outfitted for adventure. Youth groups can trot thousands of acres of meadows and shoreline by horseback. And everyone can enjoy the adrenaline-fueled thrills of ATV off-roading in the forest and breathtaking zip-line tours that soar through the woods and over the lake at speeds reaching 35mph (start practicing your Tarzan yell).
Grab a Bite to Eat
For those that want to venture into town for a bite to eat—or to stock up on supplies and ingredients for a grilled feast—communities like Idabel and Broken Bow/Hochatown offer a handful of restaurants, catering companies and grocery stores in the area.
All of this is just the beginning. Beavers Bend is a great alternative to traditional campgrounds for church groups looking for a flexible, do-it-yourself retreat—rather than a shortlist of predetermined activities, Beavers Bend is a place where you can write your own itinerary and choose the adventure that best suits your party.
Regardless of the group size, your church retreat will find plenty to do around the Beavers Bend during the day before coming back together each night for s’mores, songs, and stories around a crackling campfire.
Start planning your church retreat to Beavers Bend today.
