Only got a couple days in McCurtain County? Better get down to business! For a good sampling of the adventures hiding around the Beavers Bend, check out the itinerary below. It’s specifically designed to give you a glimpse of the very best of McCurtain County’s eats, treats, and adventures—all squeezed into a 48-hour getaway.
12 PM: CHECK-INTO BASECAMP. If you’re splurging for the weekend, expect to find a luxurious, towering two-story ready to welcome you and friends to your new weekend abode. Survey the digs and stake out the room of your choice. PRO TIP: there’s nothing quite like waking up to natural light peeking through the tall pines of McCurtain County. Choose a east-facing room for a natural dose of morning joy.
2 PM: SET OUT FOR ADVENTURE. For those who like to wander, the mountains of McCurtain County boast plenty of craggy hideaways to explore. We suggest hiking up the Skyline Trail, a 12-mile path through the woods that leads to a river and waterfall for a killer view of the Lower Mountain Fork River. Keep an eye out for bald eagles overhead! Feel like heading out on two wheels? Mountain Bikers love David Boren Trail in Beavers Bend state park. The 16-mile single track path is a great place to grind some gravel.
6 PM: GRAB DINNER. From soul food to fine dining, McCurtain County’s got plenty of local eateries to curb your hunger. Local haunts include Steven’s Gap Restaurant, The Moon Tower Bar & Grill, and Roma’s Italian Restaurant, but you really can’t go wrong. Note: for a swanky Saturday night dinner, check out Abendigo’s. Pro Tip: Grab a patio seat, and be sure to call ahead.
8 PM: UNWIND AT THE CABIN. From book nooks to bath tubs, hammocks, to home theatre systems, your ‘me’ time is yours for the taking in a Beaver’s Bend cabin, but we suggest shelving it in favor of some more communal activities. Set up a high stakes match at the pool tables, or camp out on your patio’s adirondack chairs. Cabins are available with a range of accompanying amenities, so you can choose accommodations to suit your fancy (or level of fancy). Unexpected? Perhaps. Unnecessary? Not a bit.
10 PM: CAMPFIRE TIME. This is the stuff great lake weekends are made of, folks. Set up a tame blaze in your convenient backyard fire pit, grab the ‘mallows, snap off a few squares of chocolate and graham, and go to town on the S’mores sandwich of a lifetime. Heck, go ahead and have a few. We won’t tell.
9 AM: BREAKFAST. Slide up to the counter at the Gemini Coffee Shop where the coffee is hot and the locals are chatty. A day in McCurtain County is chock full of activity—best to start yours off with some fuel! We recommend the biscuits and gravy, and a heaping stack of hash browns.
11:00 AM: SHOPPING AND MOSEYING. Head to Idabel for boutique buys and knick knacks galore, or stop by Bruton’s Outdoor to snag outdoor supplies, hunting gear, and the latest in mountaineer gadgets. And it wouldn’t be a trip to McCurtain County without a stop into Janet’s treasure chest. Traveling with kiddos? Have ‘em stop by the Build-a-Bigfoot workshop for a souvenir you can’t get anywhere else.
1:00 PM: LATE LUNCH. When in Idabel, eat as the locals do—which means rib-sticking food at the Red B restaurant. Everything is great, but we recommend the chicken fried steak, the catfish, or the burger. Bring some buds and try all three!
3:00 PM: TACKLE THE TRAILS. Whether you prefer to run, race, or trot, there’s plenty of ways to cover ground in McCurtain County. Take in the scenic views on horseback with a trail ride from a local outfitter, shimmy through the low branches on an ATV, or get your heart racing with a rugged trail run. Head this way for routes.
5:00 PM: HAPPY HOUR. McCurtain County might be an off-the-grid paradise, but it boasts its fair share of local watering holes. Check out Girls Gone Wine for a kitschy tasting with a side of shopping (for best results, have a glass or two. Just don’t be surprised if you walk out with Christmas gifts for the whole family). Want to make a day of it? Create your own personal wine tour with a stop at Fish Tales Winery & Vineyards. Not into wine? The Beavers Bend Brewery, Hochatown Distillery, The Moon Tower Sports Bar, Grateful Head Pizzeria and Tap Room, and the Blue Rooster patio all boast excellent beer lists, and plenty of room to spread out and socialize.
7:00 PM: GET YOUR GRILL ON. Whether you opt for steaks cooked to perfection (medium rare, if you’re a man’s man), or keep it classic with hamburgers and hot dogs, most cabins come equipped with grills to suit your every outdoor cooking whim.
9:00 PM: EVENING THRILLS. Cards. Home movies. A rousing round of ‘Would You Rather.’ Whether you’re spending the weekend with your hunny, your college buddies, the whole fam damily, or a gaggle of your closest girlfriends, a cabin getaway in McCurtain County has plenty to keep you guessing. And as most guests report, the laughs shared while lounging around the cabin are usually the best part of the weekend.
9:00 AM. QUIET MORNING The final day of your vacation kicks off the way any good getaway should: with a whole lotta ‘nothing. Sleep in, pull back the curtain, opens the windows, and let the crisp mountain air wake you up the old fashioned way. Brew a pot of coffee, grab a book from your cabin’s bookshelf, take a morning dip in the hot tub, take a cat nap in the hammock, and soak in your last few hours of peace and quiet.
11:00 AM: FAREWELL. It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later! Pack up your suitcase, sign the guest book, and say ‘adios’ to your temporary home. But not to worry—there’s one last adventure in store around the Beavers Bend.
12 NOON: TALIMENA SCENIC BYWAY. Treat yourself to some top-notch views with a drive through the gorgeous Talimena Scenic Byway. If you’re traveling during autumn, you’re in for some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the state. The road connects Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas, so plan your route home accordingly. Until next time!
