Hiking Trails in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

There is a reason to hike each season in McCurtain County. Spring is when the dogwoods and redbuds bloom, chasing away winter and setting the stage for the new year to come. Wildlife comes alive after the winter and colorful birds return after escaping the winter cold.

Summer is when the entire family can enjoy nature, exploring the forest from high to low, from the mountaintops to the valley.

In fall, McCurtain County’s hiking trails are the perfect place to see the changing colors of the season. Colorful migratory birds and waterfowl stop over on the way south, and deer, squirrel and rabbits recover from the summer heat and prepare for the coming winter.

Winter brings an Oklahoma favorite…bald eagles to the lakes and rivers of McCurtain County. Explore along lakes and rivers and see this magnificent symbol of America in the wild.

Trails in McCurtain County feature outstanding hiking opportunities for the novice and experienced hikers. The trails weave through pine/hardwood forests and provide opportunities for wildlife watching and birding. Trail Maps are provided at Carper Springs Cabins as well at the Beavers Bend State Park Office. 
Beavers Bend Resort Park
            . David Boren Trail
            . Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
            . Dogwood Interpretive Nature Trail
            . Pine Ridge Nature Trail
            . Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
            . Forest Heritage Tree Trail

           
McCurtain County Wilderness Area
A self-guided nature trail winds its way through the eastern portion on the state managed wilderness area.

Ouachita National Forest, Three Rivers And Honobia Creek WMAs
No developed trails exist in these areas at this time. Many closed roads offer scenic hikes. Hike cross country and discover the scenic beauty of McCurtain County. Plan carefully based upon the desired level of difficulty. Topographic maps are available at agency offices.

Keep Your Bearings

• Take a compass and practice with it before you leave home.
• Vegetation grows larger and more open on northern slopes, smaller and more dense on southern slopes.
• Moss usually grows on the shadiest side of trees, which will be the north side if sunlight can reach the trees all day.
• Evergreens tend to be bushier on the south side. This growth is noticeable on trees growing apart from the others. Their tops also tend to point east.
• If you don’t have a compass, you can still prevent yourself from traveling in circles by always keeping two trees or objects lined up in front of you.
• Game trails can be a tremendous aid to a lost person, if for nothing else than easier traveling. They may lead to water in dry country, and where they widen and deepen, the heavier traffic often means that the animals are going around a section of terrain that is steep, boggy, or somehow impassible.
• If there is sunlight or moonlight strong enough, you can tell direction by shadows. Drive a stake into the ground and mark the top of its shadow with a stick. Ten to 15 minutes later, mark its shadow again. A line drawn from the second shadow to the first will generally point west in the Northern Hemisphere.
• If lost, it is best to stay put and let rescuers find you rather than going in circles.

Safety Tips

• File a trip plan with family or friends so someone will know where you are and who to contact should you fail to return as planned.
• Take a first-aid kit. Know how to treat minor injuries. Be aware of the location of the nearest hospital.
• Watch for hazards along the trail. Do not try to jump small trees and other obstacles that you may encounter.
• Wear protective safety equipment when riding and blaze orange during big-game hunting season (October-December).
• Take a break from time to time to rest and/or check your vehicle.
• Encounters with large trucks are possible, even on the weekends.

Other Opportunities
While there are no designated public mountain bike or equestrian trails in McCurtain County, the hundreds of miles of roads in the Ouachita National Forest, Three Rivers, and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas are open for these uses. Mountain bikers may also ride on park roads within Beavers Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park.