1) The Cabins.
Immersing in nature is important, but in a technology-driven society, shedding those digital connections cold turkey can be a shock to the system. Luckily, McCurtain County’s gorgeous, rustic cabins offer the best of both worlds. Nestled in nature’s unspoiled beauty, the remote location of your cabin belies the modern amenities that await inside. Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and hot tubs are just a few of the creature comforts on hand to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
2) The Stars.
For city-dwellers, light pollution is an invisible fact of life, which is why we think stargazing is one of the best things about a McCurtain County getaway. Step outside your cabin, look up into the heavens, and marvel at the glowing brilliance of our galaxy. You’ve never seen the night sky like this before.
3) The Zip Lines.
Adrenaline junkies, rejoice: Rugaru Adventures in Broken Bow offers a breathtaking zip-line tour through the forest and over the lake. Hitting a peak speed of 35 mph at heights of 60 feet, you’ll feel like a modern Tarzan as you fly across six different zip lines ranging from 300 to 1,100 feet in length.
4) The History.
The southeastern-most county in Oklahoma, McCurtain is rich with history and heritage. With attractions like Creek patriot Chitto Harjo’s grave, the Wheelock Mission & Academy (Oklahoma’s oldest church, built in 1847), and Hungarian artist Peter Toth’s famous “Trail of Tears” Totem Pole, McCurtain’s curiosities of yesteryear will appeal to history buffs of all stripes.
5) The Charming Festivals.
McCurtain’s bucolic countryside and its charming downtowns are the ideal hosting grounds for a variety of seasonal festivals, like the Fall Festival, which features a chili cook-off, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and the Dogwood Days Festival, which celebrates the annual spring blooming of Idabel’s dogwood trees.
6) The Locally-crafted Drink.
Did you know McCurtain County is home to a distillery, two breweries and three wineries? You can find locally-crafted ales, both seasonal and year-round, in many of the area’s restaurants and watering holes. Meanwhile, area winemakers produce a variety of whites and reds, which visiting oenophiles can enjoy in the scenic outdoors—one vintner even offers the quirky pairing of guided fishing expeditions.
7) The Rare Birds.
McCurtain County is a bird-watcher’s paradise. The area is home to 327 different bird species, including many rare finds, like the seldom-seen marsh-dwelling Yellow Rail.
8) Bigfoot?
Southeastern Oklahoma is Sasquatch Country, and Bigfoot enthusiasts converge in McCurtain and nearby counties year-round in search of the elusive cryptid of the Kiamichis. We can neither confirm nor deny his existence, but it sure is fun to look for him in the forests of Beavers Bend State Park.
