Oklahoma's best hiking ; camping ; fishing

The triple crown of summer can be had in one clean sweep at Beaver's Bend State Park in Hochatown Oklahoma and surrounding area Broken Bow Lake and Kiamichi mountains.There is so much to do in this corner of the state..Hikers have access to a trail system in the state park. That allows them to tailor a hike to suit their time(length) talent(degree of difficulty).

From Skyline trail for the experienced hiker to the nature trails at the Forest Heritage Center. Open 7 days a week with free maps available of all trails and park amenities as well.(get a map there is so much to see or get lost seeing it).

The Heritage Center is on hwy. 259a.Turn at the state park entrance. It is very near many of the trail heads and you can park in their lot. The ranger station at the state park turn off, also has detailed maps of the area for sale as well as free maps.I don't believe they are open on the weekends.I will provide phone numbers for both the ranger station and heritage center at the end of this article.

There are seven basic trails in the park system.

Beaver Creek ; 1 mi. Great for kids with water to wade in the summer.

Beaver Lodge : 1 mi.

Cedar Bluff : 1 mi. up hill with view of the river at the top.

Dear Crossing: 2 mi.

Look-out mtn.: 1.5 mi.

Skyline: 7 mi. The most challenging and is best accessed from the cedar bluff  trail head. As it is difficult to locate the trail head at the spillway.

I might add that if you have a stroller or wheelchair you can still hike if it is not to wet.Go to the old park dam there is a wide flat trail (closed road) that parallels the lower mtn. fork river as it leaves the park. It is a very scenic walk for everybody.

If you decide to car camp there are many campsites on the river as well as R.V. parking with pull thru sites. They have approx. 111 w/e sites 4 handicap and 54 tent sites. 

Not to mention 40 lodge rooms 48 cabins 10 pet friendly and 2 group camps one for 144 guest and one for 160 visitors. Don't miss the nature center which is located by the store and the childrens playground.

Speaking of children they may be interested in the train rides,paddle boats,kayak rental and swim beach all within the park.

The main attraction to the park is of course the 12 mi. of  Lower Mtn. Fork River that runs through it.Yes that's right(a river runs through) and the trout fishing it provides.It's rumored to have the best fly fishing in Oklahoma and some say in the entire south.The mtn. fork has both stocked and native trout. The cold clear water reminds you of a rocky mtn. stream and is just as scenic.

I feel I have left out so much you need to see it yourself.

Park office (580) 494-6452

Nature Center(580) 494-6556

Cabin office(580) 494-6300

Lakeview Lodge(580) 494-6179

Ranger Station(479) 637-4174

Forest Heritage Center(580) 494-6588

This is Papa Randy and I'am

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