🧭 Burn ban & campfires
The short answer
When McCurtain County has a burn ban, you can't have a campfire, a bonfire or a wood fire in a fire pit. That includes the fire pit at your cabin, even if the cabin listing shows one.
If a ban is on today, a red strip at the very top of this page says so. We check Oklahoma Forestry Services' burn ban map, the same one local fire departments use. If you don't see the strip, you can check the map yourself or call the county before you light anything.
Burn bans are common here in late summer and fall, when the pine woods get dry. Hochatown's cabins sit right in the trees, so one stray spark can spread fast. In September 2026, 18 of the county's 21 fire departments asked for the ban, along with state Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.
- Who sets it: McCurtain County commissioners, on the advice of local fire chiefs
- How long: Up to 14 days at a time, and it can be renewed while it stays dry
- Penalty: A misdemeanor: up to a $500 fine, up to a year in jail, or both
- Check today: The red strip at the top of this page, or Oklahoma Forestry Services' burn ban map
🔥 What's allowed
What you can and can't do during a burn ban
Not allowed: campfires, bonfires, wood-burning fire pits and chimineas, and burning trash or brush.
Usually allowed: a gas or propane grill used on a surface that won't burn, like concrete, stone or a metal stand, and kept at least 5 feet from grass, leaves and brush. Oklahoma burn bans make that exception for outdoor cooking.
Ask first: charcoal grills, smokers and propane fire tables. Each county's ban spells out its own exceptions, so ask your cabin host or call the county before you light one. When in doubt, leave it off.
Even when a grill is allowed, if it starts a fire you're still responsible for it. Keep water nearby and never leave it burning.
🔥 Propane & grill suppliesWalmart Broken Bow is the Walmart store serving Broken Bow, Hochatown, and the surrounding lake area, with a familiar one-stop mix of shopping and practical services under one roof.
See hours, photos & directions →
🔥 Steaks for the grillMountain Man Meat Market is Hochatown’s go-to meat market and deli, known for prime and Wagyu beef, take-home sides, specialty grocery items, and prepared food.
See hours, photos & directions →
🔥 GroceriesPruett’s Food is a hometown grocery anchor in Broken Bow, serving shoppers with a full-service market and a pharmacy under one roof.
See hours, photos & directions →🌲 Park & forest
Camping at Beavers Bend or in the national forest
Beavers Bend State Park is in McCurtain County, so the county ban covers its campsites too. Ask the park office before using a campsite fire ring.
National forest land, including the Ouachita National Forest's Tiak units near Idabel and Haworth, follows the U.S. Forest Service's own fire rules, set separately from the county ban. Check with the Forest Service before a campfire there.
🌲 State parkBeavers Bend State Park – Hochatown Area is one of southeast Oklahoma’s signature outdoor destinations, a lake-and-forest getaway centered on Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌲 LakeBroken Bow Lake is the heart of the Hochatown area: about 14,000 acres of clear, deep water tucked into the Ouachita Mountains, with roughly 180 miles of pine-covered shoreline and quiet coves to explore.
See hours, photos & directions →🌙 No fire tonight?
Fun nights without a campfire
No fire pit doesn't mean a dull night. Catch live music, a magic show or a casino night, then head back to the cabin hot tub. S'mores still work in the oven or over a gas stove.
🌙 Live musicHochatown Saloon is a Broken Bow gathering spot known for live music, great food, and a lively all-around experience in Hochatown, Oklahoma.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌙 BreweryMountain Fork Brewery is a Broken Bow favorite that brings together craft beer and a full restaurant experience in the heart of the Hochatown area.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌙 Magic showHester’s Theatre of Magic brings live illusion to Hochatown with a compact theater experience centered on Chris Hester’s stage show.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌙 Resort & casinoChoctaw Landing brings a full resort experience to Hochatown, pairing casino gaming with hotel stays, dining, and live events in one destination.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌙 Candy shopSasquatch’s Candy Den is a candy shop in Hochatown’s The Yard Under the Pines, a sweet-stop known for its colorful mix of treats and its family-friendly, playfully nostalgic vibe.
See hours, photos & directions →🚚 Delivery to your cabin
Staying in? Get food and groceries delivered
Grocery delivery
Skip the drive to town. Adam's Snack Wagon shops the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow for you. Type or say your shopping list in the app, check the items it finds, and a driver brings your groceries to your cabin around Hochatown.
Shop groceries →Restaurant delivery
Order from local restaurants on the Adam's Snack Wagon app. A driver picks up your food and brings it right to your cabin, so nobody has to drive after a long day on the lake.
Order restaurant delivery →🗺️ Everything on one map
Find it on the map
📅 This week & coming up
Nights out coming up
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 6:00 PM
Hochatown Saloon · 9:00 PM
Center Bar at Choctaw Landing · 1:00 PM
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 8:30 PM
Choctaw Landing · 5:30 PM
Mountain Fork Brewery
Hochatown Saloon · 10:00 PM
Tuklo Grill at Choctaw Landing · 5:00 PM
🛏️ Places to stay
Find a place to stay near Hochatown
This map shows cabins and vacation rentals around Hochatown with prices. Add your dates to see what's open.
Tap a price to see photos and book. Add your dates on the map to see what's open. We may earn a small commission if you book. It doesn't change your price.
💡 Before you go
Fire safety tips
Check before you light
Look for the red strip at the top of this page, or check the burn ban map, every day of your trip. Bans can start or end mid-week.
Ask your host
Your cabin host knows the house rules for the fire pit and grill. Some cabins don't allow fires at all, ban or no ban.
Never toss cigarettes
Use an ashtray or a can of water. Dry pine needles catch fast.
Watch where you park
Hot exhaust can light dry grass. Park on gravel or pavement.
Report smoke
If you see a fire, call 911 right away.
❓ Good to know
Common questions
Is there a burn ban in McCurtain County right now?
If there is, a red strip at the top of this page says so. We check Oklahoma Forestry Services' burn ban map, the same one local fire departments use. You can also call the county or ask your cabin host.
Can we have a campfire at our cabin during a burn ban?
No. A burn ban means no campfires, no bonfires and no wood fires in a fire pit, even at a private cabin.
Can I use a grill during a burn ban?
Oklahoma burn bans usually allow gas and propane grills used on a surface that won't burn, like concrete or stone, at least 5 feet from grass and brush. Ask your host or the county about charcoal grills, smokers and propane fire tables.
How long does a burn ban last in McCurtain County?
A county burn ban lasts up to 14 days, and the county can renew it while it stays dry. Bans often run for weeks in late summer and fall.
What happens if you break a burn ban?
It's a misdemeanor. Any law officer can enforce it, and the penalty is up to a $500 fine, up to a year in jail, or both.
Does the burn ban apply at Beavers Bend State Park?
Yes. The park is in McCurtain County, so the county ban covers it. Ask the park office before using a campsite fire ring.
Can I get restaurant food or groceries delivered to my cabin in Hochatown?
Yes. Adam's Snack Wagon delivers restaurant food and groceries to cabins around Hochatown. You order on the Snack Wagon app, a driver goes and gets it, and brings it to your door. For groceries, they shop the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow, and you can type or say your shopping list right in the app.
🧭 Keep planning