🧭 Creeks for kids
The short answer
Yes. From Honobia, the closest easy creek is Billy Creek Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest, a bit under an hour away, where a small stream runs past the picnic tables. Within about an hour you can also reach the swimming areas at Cedar Lake, or drive south to Beavers Bend State Park, which has a roped-off swimming beach in its River Bend area on the Mountain Fork River.
Broken Bow Lake also has Corps of Engineers beach areas, such as Stevens Gap. One thing to know: the river below the Broken Bow dam runs cold, because the water comes out of the lake, and its level can rise fast when the dam releases water. Here's where to go and what to pack.
- Closest to Honobia: Billy Creek Recreation Area, under an hour
- Swim beach: River Bend area, Beavers Bend State Park
- Lake beaches: Stevens Gap and other Corps areas on Broken Bow Lake
- Pack: Water shoes, life jackets, snacks and drinking water
🚚 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 →🌲 Closest to Honobia
Billy Creek and Cedar Lake in the Ouachita National Forest
Billy Creek Recreation Area is a small Forest Service site along a creek, with pools where kids can look for sunfish. The Forest Service lists it as open all year with no fee, vault toilets and picnic tables, but no drinking water, so bring your own. From Big Cedar, go west 6 miles on State Highway 63, then follow the signs north about 3 miles.
Cedar Lake Recreation Area, south of Heavener, is an 86-acre forest lake with swimming areas, playgrounds and fishing piers. The Forest Service lists day use at $5 per vehicle, and it is open seasonally, so check the Ouachita National Forest page before you go.
Grab breakfast, lunch or supplies at Honobia Creek Store & Cafe on your way out.
🌲 Food & supplies in Honobia🏊 Mountain Fork River
The River Bend swim beach at Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park lists a swim beach, and TravelOK describes a roped-off swimming beach in the River Bend area, along with paddle boat and canoe rentals. It's the easiest spot for kids to wade into the Mountain Fork River. Rentals are seasonal, so call the park ahead.
The river here is fed by water released from Broken Bow Lake, so it stays cool even in summer. The dam has warning horns for water releases. If you hear one, get the kids out of the river and away from the bank right away.
🏊 Swim beach & riverBeavers 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 →
🏊 Museum in the parkBeaver’s Bend State Park Forest Heritage Center is a forestry museum and event venue inside Beaver’s Bend State Park in Broken Bow, where visitors can explore Oklahoma’s forest story through large dioramas…
See hours, photos & directions →🏖 Broken Bow Lake
Swim beaches on Broken Bow Lake
The Corps of Engineers lists beach areas at Broken Bow Lake, including Stevens Gap on the west side of the lake. Lake water is calmer and warmer than the river in summer, which many families like for small kids. There are no lifeguards, so stay within arm's reach.
🏖 Corps lake & beaches🛶 Older kids
Tube and canoe trips on the lower Mountain Fork
For older kids, a guided float is an easy way to enjoy the river. Skippa-Rock River Floats runs a 1.5-mile tube float, about 2 hours, for ages 6 and up and at least 42 inches tall, per its website. Tippa Canoe rents canoes and kayaks for 4-mile floats. Both are seasonal, so call ahead.
🛶 Tube floats, ages 6+Skippa-Rock River Floats is a Broken Bow river outfitter built around canoe, kayak, and tube trips on the lower Mountain Fork River.
See hours, photos & directions →
🛶 Canoe & kayak floatsTippa Canoe is a Broken Bow river outfitter focused on canoe and kayak rentals on the Mountain Fork River, with options that include canoes, one-person kayaks, and tandem kayaks.
See hours, photos & directions →🗺️ Everything on one map
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📅 This week & coming up
Family events coming up near the park
🛏️ Places to stay
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💡 Before you go
Tips for a creek day with kids
Wear water shoes
Creek and river bottoms are rocky and slick. Water shoes save little feet.
No lifeguards
Most of these spots have no lifeguards. Keep small kids within arm's reach and bring life jackets for weak swimmers.
Know the dam horn
Below Broken Bow Lake, the river can rise quickly when water is released. If you hear the horn, get out of the water.
The river is cold
The Mountain Fork below the dam is fed by lake water and runs cooler than you might expect. Bring towels and a dry change of clothes.
Bring water and snacks
Billy Creek has no drinking water. Pack plenty for the day.
No campfires
McCurtain County is under a burn ban right now. Pack a cooler lunch instead of cooking out.
❓ Good to know
Common questions
Is there a creek near Honobia where kids can play?
Yes. Billy Creek Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest is a bit under an hour from Honobia. It has a small creek with pools, picnic tables and vault toilets, and no fee per the Forest Service.
Where can kids swim in Beavers Bend State Park?
The River Bend area of Beavers Bend has a roped-off swimming beach on the Mountain Fork River, per TravelOK.
Does Broken Bow Lake have a swimming beach?
Yes. The Corps of Engineers lists beach areas at Broken Bow Lake, including Stevens Gap. There are no lifeguards, so swim with care.
Why is the water so cold at Beavers Bend?
The Mountain Fork River below the dam is fed by water released from Broken Bow Lake, which keeps it cool enough for a year-round trout fishery, per the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Can kids swim in the Little River or Glover River?
Much of the land along the upper Little River and the Glover is private timber land in wildlife management areas, and the state wildlife department requires a land access permit to use it. For an easy kids' day, stick with Billy Creek, Cedar Lake or Beavers Bend.
How far is Beavers Bend from Honobia?
About an hour to an hour and 15 minutes by car, depending on your route.
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.
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