2019 marks the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear, the famous cartoon mascot of the U.S. Forest Service known for his fire safety tips and famous sign-off, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Originally created by committee in 1944, Smokey put fire safety in the hands of citizens at a time when lumber was crucial to […]
Continue Reading Head to the Forest Heritage Center Museum and celebrate 75 years of Smokey Bear
On Saturday, April 13, the beloved Beavers Bend Kayak Classic will return to Broken Bow Lake for its seventh year. The tournament has, over the years, become a must-attend for region kayak anglers and spectators, and this year organizers expect 150-plus competitors to enter. Proceeds will benefit the charity Heroes on the Water, which offers […]
Continue Reading The Beavers Bend Kayak Classic returns to Broken Bow
Though sultry summer skies have given way to crisp autumn breezes, Beavers Bend State Park is still flourishing with fun outdoor activities. To keep the park ship-shape for visitors, park rangers like Mike Willeby keep a close eye on this McCurtain County treasure year-round. Willeby is the assistant park manager and ranger, and he’s called […]
Continue Reading Interview with a Park Ranger
Beavers Bend State Park is a lush, 1,300-acre playground in the heart of Southeastern Oklahoma, anchored by Broken Bow Lake and surrounded by charming rural communities and small-town amenities. It’s a destination for hardcore outdoors enthusiasts looking to hunt, fish, hike or camp, but it’s also a great weekend getaway for city dwellers seeking a […]
Continue Reading What to do around the bend: A city dweller’s cheat sheet
It’s time to say goodbye to summer. The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, football season is gearing up, and McCurtain County is beckoning with outdoor adventures like fishing, zip-lining, hiking, and horseback riding. But that’s not the half of it—as autumn arrives, so do a handful of festivals around the Beavers Bend featuring […]
Continue Reading Four fall festivals to find around the Beavers Bend
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, McCurtain County 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 […]
Continue Reading Church trips around the Beavers Bend
For the active family craving an outdoor experience, you can’t go wrong with the natural beauty, luxury cabins, and family-friendly adventures beckoning from just around the Beavers Bend. From forest zip-lining to small-town festivals, hunting Bigfoot to riding horseback, fishing to kayaking and everything in between, McCurtain County is teeming with activity. Here are ten […]
Continue Reading How to Spend Your Family Vacation Around the Beavers Bend
The ancient art of coordinating the perfect family reunion is made easier in McCurtain County, where hundreds of luxury cabins—ranging from rustic single room structures to sprawling multi-room mansions—dot the beautiful forests of Beavers Bend State Park, equally ideal for hosting the most modest or outsized of reunions. With so many outdoor adventures, family-friendly activities […]
Continue Reading The ideal family reunion is just around the Beavers Bend
Breathtaking natural beauty, luxury accommodations (in the woods), delicious food and drink, and multiple escape routes: the question isn’t why should you get hitched around the Beavers Bend, but why shouldn’t you? Nevertheless, we’ve answered the former just in case you’re on the fence—if you’ve never been to Southeastern Oklahoma, or you’re not sure it’s […]
Continue Reading Five reasons to get hitched around the Beavers Bend
Rejoice! Spring has arrived—and with it, one of the best times of the year to discover the natural wonders that lie around the Beavers Bend. From the blooming of thousands of dogwood trees to the abundance of delicious seasonal produce (strawberries!), here are five reasons to plan a spring getaway to McCurtain County. 1) The […]
Continue Reading Five Reasons to Visit Beavers Bend in the Springtime
