I'm heading up there this weekend. This will be our first time there. Anyone got any recommendations on things to do? I figure we'll do some fishing, play golf, maybe rent some jet skis. Anyone got any recs on what to do or not to do? Good fishing spots?

Is this a nudist colony?

I'm sure there's got to be some great fishing somewhere on Broken Bow reservoir. Was up that last spring on a geology field trip. Really pretty.

Unless you want me to talk about geology, thats about all I can tell you though.

Great place. We just chilled but check out the river area below the spillway.

Beavers Bend State Park is a great place. There is always the trout fishing, but the most recent reports I've seen are saying it's a little slow right now. If those reports are true, and you don't care too much about catching, wet wading this time of year is a great way to get out of the heat.

trout fishing. White water canoeing is pretty fun too, we used to go up there for family reunions

the fishings is good (usually)... if you have kids (even if you don't) the nature center is cool especially around feeding time... there are some pretty scenic hikes, the lake is cool, very big...

[This message has been edited by AggieGunslinger (edited 8/28/2008 7:36a).]

If you do have kids, in addition to the nature center (which has tons to do for the little ones) there is also a loop train ride and a swim area that rents sit-on-tops, has bumper boats, etc. Ceader bluff is a great short loop hike (about 1 mile), most of the trails are connected so you can easily put together a hike of up to (i think) 24 miles in pretty much any increment you want. Great place.

All of the above posts are good advice, also don't overlook Museum of the Red River in Idabel. Good collection of Indian Artifacts and a complete Acrocanthasaurus dinosaur skeleton.

During the heat of the day, take a walk around the Forest Heritage Center in the park, if for nothing else than to admire the way the hallways follow the slope of the land.

First class parasailing operation on the lake.

Take a drive up HWY. 259 toward Smithville, or all the way to Heavener. Mountains get bigger and people get fewer as you head north. If you get close, be sure to visit Heavener State Park. Whether the Viking Runestone is real or not is a debate, but regardless, the setting is beautiful.

Just guided two days there, trout fishing is OK, but not great. But, it never is in August and early September.

Based on cabin rentals and the number of travel trailers I met driving home yesterday evening, crowds will be heavy.

Be sure to go back in the late fall, when the trees are turning and the morning air is crisp, there is not a prettier place in the country. Trout fishing really picks up in mid-October.

http://www.beaversbendcabins.com/paradise_ridge.htm

we go twice a year and stay at this cabin called Paradise Ridge and we rarely ever leave.

We are going on Sept. 27th and staying in a bigger one. http://www.beaversbendcabins.com/deercrossing.htm

If you are going this weekend than i would surely do the canoe trip. The upper is more swift and fun, the lower trip is very pretty but pretty slow, unless you like to paddle.

if you are going to play golf there are two places. Idabel CC and Cedar Creek which has some holes on the lake. I don't know what you are used to, but they are both ok. i actually like the Idabell CC better.