Tourism and timber drive the economy in Broken Bow
Broken Bow lies in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma, roughly 20 miles from the Arkansas and Texas borders. The city’s population of 4,000 is supplemented by a year-round influx of tourists drawn to Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park. “Our area just north of Broken Bow has grown into a tourism area with a lot of cabins,” says Teresa Bartlett, lifelong resident and real estate agent with eXp Realty. “People compare it to Branson [Missouri], but I think it’s nicer because it’s not as commercialized.” The timber industry contributes heavily to the local economy, with lumber manufacturers and building supply stores located throughout the city.
Custom-built luxury cabins dominate the housing market
Broken Bow’s population is almost evenly split between renters and owners, and custom-built luxury cabins accommodate the growing tourism industry. “All of the cabins are short-term rentals except for a small handful that are second homes to people that don’t rent them out,” Bartlett says. Homes in the city center are packed closely together on narrow roads shaded by mature trees, while multiacre properties spread out on the forested outskirts. “It just keeps getting out of hand with the size of cabins that are being built up here,” Bartlett says. “It went from cabin in the woods, to cabin in the woods with a hot tub, to cabin in the woods with a hot tub, a fireplace inside and out with a fire pit, then it went to cabin in the woods and all of that with a playground. Now we’ve added swimming pools, pickleball courts and numerous other things.” Modest ranch-style homes cost $150,000 to $265,000, and cozy log cabins sell for $250,000 to $500,000. Contemporary homes go for $400,000 to $580,000, while most custom-built luxury cabins fetch prices from $600,000 to $1.2 million.
Fishing, hiking and float trips at Beavers Bend State Park
Broken Bow Lake stretches out north of the city, with oak and pine trees towering over the crystal-clear waters. Rugged terrain characterizes the shoreline, which is regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “They don’t allow you to build on the water,” Bartlett says. Docks and permanent structures are prohibited, except at Beavers Bend State Park and Beavers Bend Marina & Boat Rental. Park visitors enjoy hiking, cycling, horseback riding, fishing and float trips down the Mountain Fork of the Little River. Cabins, RV sites and tent campsites invite multiday trips. Broken Bow has been called the “Deer Capital of the World,” and hunters sight up for wild turkey and rabbit as well as the abundant white-tailed deer. Within the city limits, Broken Bow City Park features a walking path that leads past a small lake, a basketball court, a playground, a splash pad and picnic areas.
Broken Bow High School is known for its football program
Students start at Dierks Elementary School, which serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 2 and receives a Niche grade of A-minus. For grades 3 through 5, they move to Bennett Elementary School, rated B-minus. Next up are Rector Johnson Middle School, rated C-plus, and Broken Bow High School, rated B-minus. The high school is known for its football program, and Broken Bow Memorial Stadium is one of the oldest high school football stadiums in Oklahoma. The state’s school choice law allows students to transfer to schools outside their residential district if space is available.
From pastries to video poker, Broken Bow buzzes morning and night
Locally owned shops and restaurants, fast-food joints and chain retailers line Broken Bow’s main thoroughfares. The signature pastries and smoked sausages at Doughnut Theory are popular morning pick-me-ups, and The Oaks Steakhouse evokes the local vibe with its cabin-style atmosphere. Broken Bow Ace Hardware stocks tools and household essentials, and groceries are available at DG Market and Pruett’s Food. Washburn’s furniture store is tucked into South Park Plaza, along with Walmart and Dollar Tree. Choctaw Casino Broken Bow is a nightlife hub with slot machines, a café and a lounge that frequently hosts live entertainment.
Highways connect to the nearby hospital and regional airport
U.S. Routes 70 and 259 intersect with Oklahoma State Highway 3 in the center of Broken Bow. Texarkana Regional Airport is about 80 miles away and offers flights to Dallas - Fort Worth , but travelers may opt to drive 175 miles to the larger airport. Medical services are available at McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel , about 12 miles away, and LIFT Community Action Agency offers on-demand transit on weekdays.
Seeking shelter from Oklahoma’s tornado activity
Broken Bow’s tornado risk isn’t as severe as in some other parts of Oklahoma, but still relatively high by U.S. standards. Many homes are built on slab foundations with no basements, leaving residents to seek other shelter options. Oklahoma’s SoonerSafe program offers rebates to homeowners who invest in storm shelters or safe rooms.
