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Started By
Message
Broken Bow-family summer trip
Posted on 12/9/25 at 10:34 am
Posted on 12/9/25 at 10:34 am
My large extended family is looking at Broken Bow for the 2026 summer trip and wanted to know what this place is like ? We typically do a beach trip, so something different is good news to me. I am concerned this might be another Gatlinburg like vacation, which we did in 2019 range. Our group could be between 20-26 in total and would probably rent 1-2 large cabins in the general area.
13
Posted on 12/9/25 at 10:52 am to PCBourbon
There’s nothing to do there. I can’t imagine going with the whole family. It’s fine for a small weekend get away where the objective is to do nothing, but there’s really only so much you can do at the lake when it’s not your place and you have to rent everything
Posted on 12/9/25 at 11:04 am to Mingo Was His NameO
Are there any mountains, hiking, lakes, etc in the area ?
Posted on 12/9/25 at 11:05 am to PCBourbon
quote:
I am concerned this might be another Gatlinburg like vacation
We always loved Gatlinburg area vacations.
I hope you didn't stay in the town the entire time. The GSMNP is one of the prettiest areas of this country.
IMO, Broken Bow looks like Gatlinburg without the National park and without the tourist trap things to do.
Posted on 12/9/25 at 12:45 pm to PCBourbon
In the same general area go to Medicine Park or Eureka Springs which are much nicer and have more to do.
This post was edited on 12/9/25 at 3:40 pm
Posted on 12/9/25 at 12:56 pm to PCBourbon
I have been there. We much prefer Lake Ouachita for a very natural setting or Lake Hamilton if you would like a place on the water. Lake Hamilton is in Hot Springs and Lake Ouachita is about a 25 minute drive to Hot Springs. That gives you access to restaurants, night life, shopping, etc. Broken Bow is beautiful but not much to do in the area. Lake Ouachita is just as pretty.
Posted on 12/9/25 at 2:43 pm to PCBourbon
It has been said a few times...but there really is not that much to do. So, it depends on what you are wanting out of the trip. The wife and I go to the area to literally just get away from everything and do nothing.
There is a lake and state park, but it really isn't all that pretty. You cant get a cabin on the lake, so everyone would have to pile into the vehicles and drive into the park to get to the lake if that is what you want to do. The hiking is dry and dusty. There are just a few restaurants in the area, and a party of 20-25 will probably shut them down! If they can handle your group, it will be a ridiculous wait...there is normally a ridiculous wait for tables of 2 already. It is a really small pool of local residents to pull from for staff, and it seems like there is never a place fully staffed. The nearest grocery store is in Broken Bow proper...which most of the newer cabins are about 20 minutes from. It isn't easy to just run to the store.
All that said...if you plan on dragging a large smoker up there or cooking at the cabins for your group, and enjoying family time, it will be great! Don't expect the kids to be entertained outside of the cattle pen maze and I believe there is a putt putt type place.
I'm not 100% dumping on it, like I said, we go every couple of years for a long weekend, but it seems like renting a large house actually on a lake would be a better option for a large group. Just my 2 cents.
There is a lake and state park, but it really isn't all that pretty. You cant get a cabin on the lake, so everyone would have to pile into the vehicles and drive into the park to get to the lake if that is what you want to do. The hiking is dry and dusty. There are just a few restaurants in the area, and a party of 20-25 will probably shut them down! If they can handle your group, it will be a ridiculous wait...there is normally a ridiculous wait for tables of 2 already. It is a really small pool of local residents to pull from for staff, and it seems like there is never a place fully staffed. The nearest grocery store is in Broken Bow proper...which most of the newer cabins are about 20 minutes from. It isn't easy to just run to the store.
All that said...if you plan on dragging a large smoker up there or cooking at the cabins for your group, and enjoying family time, it will be great! Don't expect the kids to be entertained outside of the cattle pen maze and I believe there is a putt putt type place.
I'm not 100% dumping on it, like I said, we go every couple of years for a long weekend, but it seems like renting a large house actually on a lake would be a better option for a large group. Just my 2 cents.
Posted on 12/10/25 at 1:52 pm to TigerTatorTots
Yes lots of Kids !! We won't know the exact amount, but can be between 8-12 kids ranging in ages of 2-15 years old.. I appreciate all the feedback. Looks like i need to do some research myself on Broken Bow and surrounding area.
Posted on 12/10/25 at 2:05 pm to PCBourbon
It's kind of bizarre that I spent a summer working at the state park there in the late 80s and there was nothing there at all. McCurtain County overall was pretty famous for its marijuana growers. 
I had no idea until I saw this thread that it had become a vacation destination.
I had no idea until I saw this thread that it had become a vacation destination.
Posted on 12/10/25 at 2:56 pm to PCBourbon
Sounds pretty miserable to me based on what's around the area
Can't believe this place is still being talked up as a great destination
I'd look elsewhere
Can't believe this place is still being talked up as a great destination
I'd look elsewhere
Posted on 12/10/25 at 2:58 pm to BhamTigah
quote:
had no idea until I saw this thread that it had become a vacation destination
The town and business owners hired a PR Firm a few years ago and suddenly it became a "destination".
Posted on 12/10/25 at 2:59 pm to PCBourbon
It's a nice area....but literally nothing to do, esp with kids.
There is hiking, canoeing etc.
There is hiking, canoeing etc.
Posted on 12/10/25 at 4:41 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
The town and business owners hired a PR Firm a few years ago and suddenly it became a "destination".
I have no idea if this is true or not, but even if it is a “few” years ago would be like a decade
Posted on 12/10/25 at 5:47 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
even if it is a “few” years ago would be like a decade
Sure, it was always a weekend place for people from DFW to go just to chill. But at some point they hired the PR/Advertising/Branding company to try and get people from further away to make the trip.
Posted on 12/10/25 at 6:04 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
But at some point they hired the PR/Advertising/Branding company to try and get people from further away to make the trip.
I feel like you’re making that up considering how vague you’re being
Posted on 12/12/25 at 9:59 am to Guzzlingil
quote:
There is hiking, canoeing etc.
I had a lot of fun fly fishing for rainbows when I was there.
Posted on 12/13/25 at 3:07 pm to ShelbyCountyTiger
quote:
Lake Ouachita
Best option without a doubt
Posted on 12/14/25 at 1:12 pm to PCBourbon
I'd look into a cabin in Branson. Pretty much can do anything there you can do in Broken Bow, plus you have more night life options, golf, etc
Posted on 12/14/25 at 6:16 pm to PCBourbon
I hope y’all really enjoy playing board games because there isn’t much in the form of entertainment
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