Beavers Bend State Park

The park sits in the Ouachita foothills, which is country most people do not associate with Oklahoma - shortleaf pine forest, clear river and steep wooded hills rather than plains. Broken Bow Lake upstream releases cold water from the bottom of the reservoir, which keeps the Mountain Fork River below the dam cold enough year round to support rainbow and brown trout, a fishery that would otherwise be impossible at this latitude and which the state stocks. Release schedules for the hydro plant change the river level quickly and sirens warn of it. Cabins in the park and around it have become a substantial weekend market from Dallas, which fills the roads on Fridays.

Highlights

• Pine forest and clear river - Ouachita foothill country.
• A cold tailwater trout fishery - supported by dam releases.
• Water level changes on release - warned by sirens.
• Broken Bow Lake above - the reservoir feeding it.

When to go

March to November; autumn colour in late October. A full day or several.

What to expect

Water releases raise the river fast and wading anglers have been caught out - heed the sirens. Weekend cabin demand from Texas fills the area and prices rise. Summer is hot and humid. It is a long drive from anywhere.

Nearby

Broken Bow Lake is upstream; the Ouachita National Forest is north.

Key facts