You booked your cabin getaway trip about a month ago, and you’ve been eagerly counting down the days since then, almost giddy at the chance to take a break from your job and just relax. The days leading up to your trip have ticked by; now, you only have three more days until you leave! However, a thought suddenly occurs to you: You still need to pack your bags.
You stare blankly at the empty suitcase on your bedroom floor, your mind spinning with questions. How many outfits do I need? What toiletries should I bring? Do we need snacks?
Does this scene feel familiar to you?
If the answer is “yes”, then this is the blog for you! In this article, we’ll unpack (ba-dum-tss) everything you need to know about packing for your upcoming trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma. We’ll walk you through what to pack, how to pack, and anything you need to know for a great time during your cabin getaway! Read on, and you’ll be packing like a pro in no time!
Packing Tips: A General Guide
No matter where you’re heading on your next vacation, take the tediousness out of packing with these tips! We’ve compiled some of our favorite hacks to make packing easy and simple.
Make a List
One of the most overwhelming parts of packing is trying to remember everything you need as you go. When you get into a packing frenzy and start tossing things haphazardly into your suitcase, you increase the chances that you’ll forget something important!
We recommend making a list of everything you think you’ll need for your trip. This list should be detailed– list individual articles of clothing, individual toiletries, and other miscellaneous items you think you’ll need! Once you make your list, you can look over it and see if there’s anything you’re missing or anything you included that you really don’t think you’ll need. For example, 15 pairs of socks might be a little too much for a weekend trip!
Then, check things off as you pack! This allows you to keep track of exactly what you’re bringing and if you’ve already packed it or not, and it also keeps you from forgetting your things on your way home from your destination!
Optimize Your Luggage Space
Clothing arguably takes up the most space in luggage. Most people tend to fold their clothes in their luggage, and some people just throw everything in their bag and call it a day! However, the way you pack can greatly impact how much stuff you’re able to bring, so you want to make sure you pack in an efficient way!
There are three great ways to save space when packing:
- Vacuum bags: Vacuum-sealed bags reduce the air space in between your clothes, allowing you more space in your luggage! Additionally, this method keeps your clothes protected from dirt, debris, spills, or any other mishaps that may occur with your luggage.
- Multi-functional clothing items: If you’re planning on bringing along a lot of things that AREN’T clothes, you’ll want your clothes to take up as little space as possible. It may seem simple, but one way to achieve that is just packing less clothes! To do so, try planning out outfits that utilize one article of clothing multiple times. For example, if you have a sweater you really love, try wearing it with a skirt on one day of the trip and with a pair of jeans on another!
- Roll, don’t fold: A great packing method for saving space involves rolling up your clothes instead of folding them. Rolling takes up less space than folding, and it also keeps your clothes from getting as many wrinkles as they would folded up or stuffed in your bag!
You can choose one of these methods to try for your next trip, or you can utilize multiple methods to save a maximum amount of space! Less luggage means less of your belongings to stress about.
Different Bags, Different Purposes
A lot of people make the mistake of packing without a strategy. This ends up with people reaching over each other in the car, digging through their bags trying to find a book, and then realizing said book was in their backpack all along.
This is why you should separate your luggage based on purpose! Relegate clothes, toiletries, and other items you won’t need for the car ride into your suitcase or duffel bag. Then, pack a backpack of things you might want for the car ride! This can include:
- Snacks
- A book
- Headphones
- Phone chargers
- A sweatshirt/jacket
- Gum/mints
What You Need For Broken Bow, OK
Now that we’ve established how to effectively pack, let’s talk specifically about what you need to pack for your cabin getaway in Broken Bow, Oklahoma!
Broken Bow has tons of fun activities to take part in, from go-karting to train rides. However, most people would say that one of Broken Bow’s greatest attractions is its natural, scenic beauty. Therefore, you’ll want to spend a lot of time outside during your stay!
Clothing
The specific clothing you’ll need for your trip will depend greatly on the time of year you visit. Compared to the rest of the United States, Broken Bow tends to experience mild winters and hot summers.
As a result, you shouldn’t need to worry about packing heavy coats, long johns, or other hardcore cold-weather gear if you visit in the winter; you can probably get away with long pants, sweaters, light layers, thick socks, and one dependable coat.
In the summer, the days are hot and most nights don’t get too cool– we recommend bringing shorts, t-shirts, and other light, breathable clothing. Some summer nights in Broken Bow do get quite cool, so bring a light sweatshirt or jacket just in case. Additionally, if you’re visiting Broken Bow during the summer, you absolutely HAVE to visit Broken Bow Lake! Make sure you bring at least one swimsuit so you can hit the water!
No matter what season you visit Broken Bow in, you want to make sure you bring the right shoes! No matter the season, we recommend bringing a pair of tennis shoes! Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or playing a round of tennis or pickleball, a good pair of tennis shoes allow you to move around comfortably. If you plan on getting on the lake during your stay, we recommend also bringing along a slip-on pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, such as flip-flops or sandals! Lastly, bring one nice pair of shoes. Even though Broken Bow sits among roaring rivers and lush green trees, there are a ton of fun and trendy restaurants that you absolutely must try while you’re in the area! One of our favorites is Abendigo’s, where you can dine indoors or on their vast patio!
Other Things to Pack
- Bug spray: Being out in nature doesn’t mean you have to fall victim to mosquitos! Bring along some bug spray for your outdoor adventures, such as hiking, fishing, or boating.
- Sunscreen: If the UV index is above a 3 and you’ll be outside for more than 15 minutes, you need sunscreen! Protect your skin from sun damage and even reduce your risk of skin cancer by bringing along sunscreen and applying generously.
- Sunglasses or a hat: Take your sun protection a step further and bring along a pair of sunglasses or a brimmed hat to protect your eyes from the sun!
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- Beach towels: While your cabin will have plenty of bath towels for your crew, these are NOT intended to leave your cabin! If you use these towels, you run the risk of getting them dirty and forcing your hosts to replace them. Show kindness and respect to your cabin hosts by leaving the bath towels at home– make sure everyone in your group brings along a beach towel!
- A hammock: Your luxury cabin is likely situated in the lush forestry of Broken Bow– take your relaxation to the next level by bringing a hammock! There are plenty of brands of hammocks that fold up neatly and don’t take up a lot of space, so you can easily
- Entertainment: If the point of a cabin getaway is to relax and unwind, then you probably won’t have something on your itinerary every second of every day! Although most cabins have a TV or board games for you to enjoy, bringing something for yourself gives you something to do if you need some alone time or during the car ride! We recommend bringing a book, a deck of cards, or something else small that you can throw in your purse and bring with you anywhere.
What NOT to Pack
Even though Broken Bow provides a chance to escape the demands of everyday life, you will still have access to grocery stores and other modern amenities in town! That means you DON’T have to stress about packing a cooler full of all of your food for the week! Make a grocery list beforehand, and stop by the local Walmart for everything you need!
For more luxury grocery items, check out Local 259. This small-business grocery store carries specialty meats, cheeses, and other fun items for you to whip up a delicious dinner or a gorgeous charcuterie board in your cabin!
When you’re looking forward to your next big trip, you shouldn’t have to feel bogged down by the stress of packing. With this guide, we hope you feel empowered to pack everything you need (and nothing you don’t) for your cabin getaway to Broken Bow, Oklahoma!
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