beaversbendstateparkblog

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The Effects of COVID-19 on Beavers Bend State Park

In some aspects of the visitors’ experience at Beavers Bend, much has remained untouched by COVID-19. This is mainly due to the lack of response that generally exists in this area. But, in other areas, there have been changes unlike anything we have ever seen in the area. Mostly these changes take place due to mask protocols, lowered maximum capacities and complete shutdowns of some services.

In the main restaurant within the park itself, the face mask mandate requires all who enter to cover up their faces in some way, shape or form to help prevent the spread of airborne germs. Gloves are offered but not required. The restaurants on the outside of the park in Hochatown, which provide most of the tourist attraction are also dealing with the same mask mandates, and the buffets require gloves to be worn. Within all establishments, including lodging, maximum capacities have dropped. At times this creates a fuss because people are having to wait in lines outside the restaurants in an area where it has never happened.

Also, within the park are recreation areas that have been shut down. There are basketball and tennis courts, a gym, and multiple playgrounds either inside the park or in Hochatown that have been completely closed indefinitely because of a lack of necessity determined by the state. Like most establishments around the county, I am sure these will open back up within the year. However, I am not sure how much more a state park can get away with when it comes to these state mandates. Largely the number of guests has remained unchanged because the majority of guest are coming in from areas where COVID-19 is more prevalent than here. Also the population at the park will always be less than where they are coming from.

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Audio recording of me reading the author’s note

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Author’s Note

I have grown up in the area and always known Beavers Bend State Park to be an excellent weekend destination for the family. From the time I was a child, to now as a father, we have always enjoyed family outings to whatever area in the park we visit.

I have enjoyed the outdoors for as long as I can remember. Whether this means fishing, boating, swimming, riding horses, hiking, you name it. My eight-year-old is the same way and we spend large amounts of time enjoying these activities.

As popularity has grown in the area, we too have come to enjoy some of the business that has come. There are new restaurants, cabins, parks, and other businesses that have moved to Hochatown and we have loved every bit of it.

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Here is a table I’ve made to compare and contrast three different places to eat at Beavers Bend and three different lodging choices.

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How to Fully Experience Beavers Bend State Park and Hochatown, OK

From the beginning of your visit, to the last day spent in Beavers Bend State Park in Hochatown, OK, I’ve compiled a list of steps you can take to make sure you get as much out of your trip as possible. Accompanying these steps, are sets of instructions that will assist even first-time visitors to the area. Even if you are an experienced visitor to the park, there are some things in the surrounding area of Hochatown as well that are in place specifically for tourists.

 1.      Book a place to stay

You have three main options for choosing your lodging options at Beavers Bend. If you choose to stay in one of the lodges in the park, the best available option is to book online with visitok.com/Broken_Bow and selecting the region and stay option. There are available lodges, cabins, and campsites for renting.

2.      Visit a campsite (if not staying at one)

Even if you do not book a campsite overnight, there is plenty of incentive to visit a campsite along the lake shore. There are picnic tables and campfire grills at each and many along the lakes beaches where you can take lunch, towels and swimsuits for the water, and as my own personal favorite, volleyball nets and frisbees for fun on the beach and in the water.

3.      Fishing

Fishing will require a license in the state of Oklahoma. This can be acquired online at https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/licensing. There are multiple fishing trails that can be found at alltrails.com accompanied by reviews and comments for each.

4.      Canoeing/Kayaking

An extremely popular option for those local to the area is canoeing/kayaking Mt. Fork River which runs through the park. You simply need to call and reserve a time and number of boats to be used. There are multiple rental companies that have popped up over the years that the area has become so popular. You can look online at the companies and compare prices.

5.      Scuba diving

The waters of Broken Bow Lake are beautiful, crisp, and incredibly clear. Clear enough to be a serious attraction for scuba divers, experienced and new enthusiasts alike. The best place for information and tours involving diving are located at https://www.beaversbendcreativeescape.com/

 6.      Golfing

Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend State Park is a beautiful course for those who enjoy a round of golf. Even if there are those with you who do not play, it is worth the time spent outdoors on such beautiful land. You can book a round at travelok.com/state-parks/golf and all needed equipment are available for rent at the clubhouse.

7.      Forest Heritage Center

Located within the park itself is the Forest Heritage Center. At the center resides a wealth of information regarding the animals and plant wildlife native to the area. There are plenty of samples and specimen located there as well. It is very kid friendly. Once you have arrived at the park, whether entering to a campsite of at a cabin or lodge, the entrance areas will have pamphlets and signs everywhere will direct you to its specific location.

8.      Souvenirs

There is a park gift shop located within the park. There is no better way to commemorate your trip to Beavers Bend State Park than to purchase a piece of the nature and beauty observed within the park and take back home with you. The Beavers Bend Gift Shop is located within the Forest Heritage Center and should be visited at the same time as the Center itself.

 9.      Hiking

One of the most popular attractions of the area are its hiking trails. There are signs that point to specific trails, but you can also visit alltrails.com for a lists and different categories of trails.

10.  Nature trail

While you are searching for the best trails to hike, do not pass up on the opportunity to explore one of the nature trails. Most notably is the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail. These trails are more tailored to the scenery, rather than challenge of a typical hike and there are trails that cater to spotting specific animals, such as Deer Cross Trail.

11.  Winery

During the winding down times of a nice quiet evening, head back into Hochatown and visit Fish Tales Winery and Vineyard for the sights and tastes of classic wineries and vineyards.

  12.  Day spa

Not every experience involves physical activity and this one is a classic tourism opposite. Body Harmony Spa is located in Hochatown and includes a full suite of spa related amenities. More information regarding services and booking details are available at the spa’s website http://www.bodyharmonydayspa.com.

  13.  Petting zoo

Beavers Bend also includes this tourist favorite among children located at the entrance to the park in Hochatown. Hochatown Petting Zoo resides along the main highway as your heading into the park. You can visit and take part in services at any time during business hours.

14.  Horseback trail rides

Yet another variation of trail that I would recommend to anyone, those who have never ridden included, is the horseback trails. There are plenty of trails available and plenty of companies offering services. Visit alltrails.com for information to be compared and pricing options.

15.  Boat tour

There are many sites to see along the lake itself, not just the surrounding mountains. Visit tripadvisor.com and search the many different tours to find information on the tour suited for you.

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Broken Bow, OK Beavers Bend State Park

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Beavers Bend State Park

On a typical day around the lake or in the hills you can sense nature in many ways there. If on the lake, you may hear children playing or boats passing by. You will see the sun shining over the lake and forest scaling the hills that bank much of the lake. The air smells clean and feels fantastic to inhale. There are many campsites equipped with fire pits and charcoal grills. Therefore, the tastes that come along with a day spent at the lake will typically consist of grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. The winds that come up from the lake provide a wonderful breeze on a warm day and exposed sky warms the body on a cool day.

One negative aspect of being far enough out in nature is a lack of cellular service. I should mention that a lack of cellular service is only a negative aspect if you find yourself in a situation in which you need to contact someone during an emergency. Other than that instance, it is a positive aspect.

I have a personal experience at this park worth mentioning involving a need for cellular service where it was unavailable. I was hiking a seven-mile trail with two of my friends when we realized we had gotten off course. These are simple if you pay close attention to every marker, but we were new to the trail and still somewhat new to hiking at the time. Being stubborn, we decided to continue on and veer back towards where we believed the trail to be. After an hour of wandering, we decided to back track and make it back to the trail. But if you have never been lost in the woods before, it is easier to do than you would think. We spent the next two hours wandering back to a road that we used to make it back to our vehicle.

There is absolutely no cellular signal that reaches up into the mountains or down towards the lake. We did our best to find a spot where we could call the park and get direction back to the trail with no success. On a positive note, it was a beautiful day. There are much worse places to get lost than a state park in the mountains over a lake.

Beavers Bend State Park. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/beavers-bend-state-park/maps-and-resources 

Beavers Bend is incredibly important to this area financially. It has become a formidable tourist destination. For the people who have always lived in this area, we have never seen growth and money coming into the county like there has been over the past few years. This is thanks to Beavers Bend. It is also a natural landmark. There is plenty of nature to be enjoyed in southeast Oklahoma. But Beavers Bend is one of very few publicly open areas and it is a highlight of the area.

It is wonderful that it is getting the recognition that it is because it is a beautiful place. In order to keep it as naturally and financially important to the area as it has become, it must be maintained. Most visitors do their part to keep it clean and being a state park keeps it well protected. The future looks bright for the park, but these positive practices must be held up. It is the one thing we have in the area financially, other than a paper mill.

My target audience will include potential first-time visitors and the local people who have not visited in years because they are unhappy with the rise in traffic and out of town guests. There is a stigma that hangs over the place amongst the locals that it is no longer enjoyable because of the number of people to contend with. I will do my best to convince that this way of thinking is understandable yet flawed.

There are many great restaurants just outside of Beavers Bend in a small, busy town called Hochatown. But there is a small country style restaurant inside the park that I believe is underrated and would recommend to anyone to give a try. It is simply named Beavers Bend Restaurant. Here is a link to the Trip Advisor page on it:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g51225-d4085310-Reviews-Beavers_Bend_Restaurant_and_Country_Store-Broken_Bow_McCurtain_County_Oklahoma.html

There is also a wide variety of options for lodging within the park. Personally, I prefer the camp/RV spots along the lake but there are many cabins and even a few lodges within the park that are extremely popular. Trip Advisor also provides information on the most popular lodge there, which I would recommend giving a try:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g51225-d114734-Reviews-Lakeview_Lodge-Broken_Bow_McCurtain_County_Oklahoma.html