Trip report: Hiking at Beavers Bend State Park
A good-looking stream along the Skyline Trail in Beavers Bend State Park. (Matt Patterson photo)
I like it when my friends write about their experiences in the outdoors. Friend and co-worker Matt Patterson went to southeastern Oklahoma for a few days of hiking in Beavers Bend State Park. This is a good report, and I hope you enjoy it. And if you have some stories of your own, feel free to e-mail me your story and photos at bdoucette@opubco.com. Have a read…
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Beavers Bend State Park
Skyline Trail
Oklahoma may not be Colorado when it comes to its sheer trail miles, but there are a few hidden gems within our borders.
One is Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow. The park is home to the David Boren trail system and its 16 miles of wilderness adventure. With leaves peaking with color, fall is as good of a time as any to visit.
This was my second trip to the park with my hiking buddy Dale Moody who lives in Hartshorne, about two hours away.
The first time we did a section of the trail that is less strenuous. This time we took on the full might of the David Boren system – a three-mile section of Skyline Trail which runs about 4.5 miles total.
The sign at the trailhead says “For experienced hikers only” and they mean it. They don’t do switchbacks at Beavers Bend. There are tons of up and down, including two sections on the inbound hike that were close to a mile each straight up hills.
And when you aren’t battling hills, you’ll be battling ankle-busting sections of trail that wind around the mountains. Trekking poles are a must for these spots and negotiating the many gulleys along the way. Foot bridges not included.
A look at the trail system map at the trailhead. (Matt Patterson photo)
On this trip our destination was Bee Creek which, was about 3 miles from the trailhead, but we stopped just short of the campsite since we found out on the way in from people we passed it was occupied by a troop of Boy Scouts.
There are several places that would make nice backcountry campsites along the way, with water sources in the form of creeks fed by Broken Bow Lake.
This system doesn’t loop so you backtrack on your way out, and our trip out was generally easier than it was going in. But regardless, it’s fun to test yourself on these trails. And when you’re not hiking you can throw in a line at the river where the trail begins. On the days we were there the banks were loaded with fly fishermen.
Red tape: There are no fees for overnight camping at Beavers Bend, but campers are encouraged to register with the park office before setting out. As with most state parks, fires are prohibited.
How to get there: From Oklahoma City the park is about 250 miles. Take Interstate 40 east to Henryetta. At Henryetta get on the Indian Nation Turnpike south. Exit at Antlers/Atoka State Highway 3 for 52 miles then get on US 259 north a short distance to reach the park.
Bring: A good pair of hiking boots with plenty of ankle support. In the fall, a 20-degree bag and a decent single wall tent will do. On the night we spent on the trail the temperature hovered in the mid 30s. It can get a little cooler if you overnight on top of one of the mountains.
Wildlife: This is bear country. Black bears, to be precise. We didn’t see any, but they’re out there. There were a couple of dumpsters along the way that looked like they had been raided the night before. If you see a bear count your blessings and enjoy the experience as most in our state are fairly timid and avoid humans.
The park doesn’t require bear cans or for campers to hang their food, but it’s probably a good idea not to keep food in your tent just the same. Besides bears, other assorted animals like raccoons and opossums populate the area.
– Matt Patterson
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Comments
I hear a lot of good things about this area. So it will be on my list of places to go in the near future for sure.
I live in the area and am employed at Beavers Bend Lodging Cabin Rentals. It is absolutely beautiful here and the fall foliage is amazing. Plan a trip you won’t regret it.
A few of us are headed up there this weekend, thanks for the great article!
It suppose to get down into the 20′s are no fires allowed at all or can they be contained in a fire pit of sorts?,
My guess is that fires in established fire rings at established campsites would be ok. However, backcountry fires will not be allowed, and just to be sure you should check in with park officials and ask. Better safe than sorry!
Yes, to everything Matt said! I live here, and hike these trails frequently. Fall foliage is still nice. Rain last night did not take off too many leaves. There are some nice waterfalls along the hiking trails too.