The holiday season is a time for togetherness, relaxation, and creating lasting memories. This year, why not step away from the usual holiday hustle and bustle and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a winter getaway in Broken Bow, Oklahoma? Nestled in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains, Broken Bow offers a cozy retreat for you to get away with your loved ones and enjoy some much-needed quality time together. 

Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures or simply a peaceful place to unwind, Broken Bow has something for everyone to enjoy. In this blog, we’ll give you all of our tips and tricks for a trip to Broken Bow that’ll be the best gift you get this holiday season! 

Why Choose Broken Bow for Your Winter Holiday?

A lot of people think of Broken Bow, Oklahoma as a summer destination. We understand why – summers spent on Broken Bow Lake are our favorite, too! However, Broken Bow is great to visit any time of year!

In the wintertime, Broken Bow becomes the perfect destination for an outdoor getaway. While some parts of Oklahoma get some snow in the wintertime, Broken Bow usually has milder winters, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing during the holiday season. For that reason, you can still enjoy a lot of fun outdoorsy activities, even in the wintertime – as long as you bundle up!

Additionally, when you visit Broken Bow, you have the opportunity to stay in a luxury cabin. These cabins are the perfect place to cozy up during the winter months! Not only do they create a warm and inviting vibe with cozy textures and wood tones, but they also come outfitted with all of the amenities you need for an enjoyable trip. Unwind in the hot tub, snuggle up with hot cocoa and Christmas PJs at the fire pit, and enjoy some of the best sightseeing right from your cabin! 

Things to Do in Broken Bow During the Winter

Go fishing on Broken Bow Lake

Because of Oklahoma’s milder winters, you’ll find that the fish in the various waters of Broken Bow are still active. While they might be a little less active than they would be in the summer, you should still be able to reel in a great catch! 

Additionally, fishing in the wintertime allows you to beat the summer crowds. You’ll have a lot more room to cast wherever you want, giving you an opportunity to slow down, take your time, and enjoy the process. 

Take a scenic drive through the Ouachita Mountains

One of the best ways to experience the winter beauty of Broken Bow is by taking a scenic drive through the Ouachita Mountains. With its winding roads and panoramic views, the region is breathtaking in every season, but there’s something especially magical about the quiet beauty of the winter months.

If you want to take a drive a little bit outside of Broken Bow, the Talimena National Scenic Byway is accessible from about an hour away from Broken Bow. During the fall, this drive is well known for having the most gorgeous views of Oklahoma’s fall foliage, so if you’re planning your trip closer to Thanksgiving than Christmas, you definitely won’t want to miss out on this! 

Go for a hike

We know what you might be thinking: Hiking in the wintertime?! Won’t it be way too cold? 

However, compared to most of the rest of the country, Oklahoma tends to have very mild winters. While you’ll need to bundle up properly for a winter hike, you most likely won’t have to worry about freezing temperatures or slippery ice! 

Beavers Bend State Park has some wonderful hiking trails for all levels of hikers. In the winter, a nice, easy stroll through the park’s scenery is perfect for catching up with friends and connecting with family. For our recommendations on making the most out of your time on the trails in Broken Bow, check out our blog post all about it!

Additionally, Broken Bow’s forests are home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and a variety of bird species. While wildlife will be much less active in the winter than in other times of the year, you can make it a fun challenge among your group to see who can spot the most animals! Bring your binoculars and see how much local wildlife during your hikes or while driving through the park.

Cozy up in your cabin

After a day of outdoor adventure, return to your Vandell Vacation Rentals cabin for some much-needed relaxation. Our cabins are designed to be your home away from home – complete with everything you could ever want for a cozy, festive holiday season. Many cabins come equipped with fireplaces, hot tubs, and even game rooms for fun evenings spent indoors.

Additionally, your cabin will come equipped with a full-sized kitchen, AC and heating, TVs, and everything else you could need to enjoy your time at your cabin as if it were your own home. 

In fact, why not take a day out of your trip to intentionally stay home all day? Because our cabins are so cozy, we feel confident that you can plan an amazing day without even having to leave your cabin. Read our guide to planning the perfect cabin night-in to learn more! 

Throw a Holiday Party

If you’re visiting Broken Bow during the holiday season, why not throw a holiday-themed party with your friends and family? No matter who you’re celebrating with, here are some suggestions for throwing an amazing holiday party in Broken Bow: 

• Charcuterie and wine: Every great party has great drinks and snacks! Grab a couple of bottles of wine from Girls Gone Wine and order a charcuterie board from Two Board Girls to really elevate the vibe. 
• Holiday baking/cookie decorating: A common Christmas tradition for many families is to bake and decorate cookies together. Why not enjoy this holiday tradition in the cozy comfort of your cabin? You can bring baking supplies along with you if you’d like, or you can also purchase them from one of the many grocery stores in town. 
• Make a meal together: A simple fact of life is this: People bond over food! Work together with your group to create a delicious Thanksgiving-style meal you can all enjoy together. If you’re spending time with friends, you can each take responsibility for cooking one dish. If you’re cooking with young kids, this can be a fantastic learning and bonding opportunity as they help you make a meal. 
• Movie night: Pop some popcorn, log in to your favorite streaming service, get into your Christmas PJs, make some hot cocoa, and watch a movie together! 
• Gift exchange: A gift exchange is always a fun way to celebrate the holidays! Have everyone draw names for Secret Santa, or make it more of a game by doing it White Elephant style! Make sure to set parameters on the price range for gifts to keep it equal amongst all participants. 

Finish your holiday shopping at local boutiques

Although Broken Bow is a small town, there are many shops in town full of unique holiday gifts, fun decorations, and local crafts. Visit all of the cozy boutiques in town and find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.

Relax at a local restaurant, winery, or brewery

Don’t let the small-town charm fool you! Broken Bow has no shortage of fantastic, locally-owned restaurants, breweries, and wineries for you to enjoy. Some of our favorites include:

• Abendigo’s Grill & Patio: Dine in for a formal and refined experience, or chill out and enjoy a craft cocktail on Abendigo’s renowned patio. Their patio has two stories and includes a full-sized stage where the restaurant often hosts local bands. Additionally, their  menu makes seasonal changes so that you get the freshest, highest-quality meals!
• The Blue Rooster: Stop by The Blue Rooster for Southern comfort food and tasty drinks. We recommend the fried catfish! After your meal, stop by Cornbread Trading Co. right next door for all your souvenir needs from knick knacks, socks, seasonings, and more.
• Grateful Head Pizza and Taproom: This Broken Bow staple was started by two brothers as an homage to the love and inclusion of the sixties… and the band The Grateful Dead. Enjoy a hippie-inspired pizza, a cold beer, and the grooviest vibes in Oklahoma as The Grateful Dead plays over the speakers!
• Mountain Fork Brewery: This brewery crafts their beers with local water from the Mountain Fork River, which means you get to enjoy fresh, quality beers. Mountain Fork Brewery also offers hand-tossed brick oven pizzas, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more!
• Girls Gone Wine: If you’ve ever been to Broken Bow, you probably know and love Girls Gone Wine – and it’s easy to see why! This local favorite has become a true staple in the community, attracting both locals and visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and fantastic selection of wines. The laid-back vibe, paired with a wide variety of wines fermented in-house, creates an enjoyable experience. 
• Beavers Bend Brewery: What started as a hobby turned into a full-time dream for the owner of Beavers Bend Brewery. Try a variety of fun-flavored beers, such as Strawberry Blonde or Blueberry Wheat, or just enjoy a classic. This fun space also has plenty of seating, including an upstairs patio area that overlooks the center of town.

An Unforgettable Holiday Season in Broken Bow 

This holiday season, make unforgettable memories with your friends and family by taking a trip to Broken Bow! From hiking through beautiful forests and along bubbling streams, to fishing on Broken Bow Lake, to warming up with hot cocoa in front of the fire… Your holiday season in Broken Bow will be filled with beautiful moments that your family will cherish forever.

When you book your trip with Vandell Vacation Rentals, you book more than just a place to sleep. At Vandell Vacation Rentals, we believe in creating an experience that allows our guests to unwind, reconnect with nature, and make memories to last a lifetime. WE pride ourselves in offering the most efficient, professional, and kind service to our guests. For more information or to book your winter holiday getaway in one of our cozy cabins, check out Vandell Vacation Rentals to rent the perfect cabin for your trip!  We look forward to helping you create magical memories this holiday season!