Nestled in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains, this rural community of nearly five thousand, ranks as a top contender for a place to live and raise children, as well as a major tourist area.

The Broken Bow Lake, nine miles northeast of Broken Bow, is one of the most scenic lakes in the state. Adjacent to Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend State Park, with its rustic but modern cabins, as well as camping sites, hiking trails, and fabulous fishing, is a haven for relaxing.

Tourism at Broken Bow Lake has developed into a significant segment of the economy. The lake area parks are utilized by many with the majority of visitors coming from the Shreveport-Bossier City, Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City-Tulsa metroplexes. The fishing, camping, golfing, hiking and trail riding attract some 2,000,000 visitors per year. In addition to the park areas, there are some 500,000 acres open to the public in the Three-Rivers Wildlife Management Area. The U.S. Forestry Service has an additional 100,000 acres of open public land. Beavers Bend is one of five “State Resort Parks” in Oklahoma. It was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corporation, and expanded in the 1970’s to include the 14,000 acre Broken Bow Lake. The park also includes a challenging 18-hole golf course that is listed as one of the top five courses in Oklahoma.

In addition to being home of Broken Bow Lake, the city is a gateway for tourists visiting Beavers Bend Resort Park, Hochatown State Park, and Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend. Hunters also visit the region, which bills itself as the “deer capital of the world.”

Broken Bow is home to two museums containing Native American artifacts. The Gardner Mansion and Museum was the historic home of the “Chief of the Choctaws” and was built in 1884. The Indian Memorial Museum houses pre-historic Indian pottery, fossils, Quartz crystal and antique glass.