Best Deals For Family Reunions

They say the family that plays together stays together. Why not gather your extended family and head to McCurtain County, Oklahoma for a fun-filled family reunion. One of the best deals for family reunions, the area around Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park has something to offer everyone, from those who love the great outdoors to those who prefer shopping and fine dining.

Located in the breathtaking Kiamichi Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, and only a short drive from Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Shreveport, McCurtain County offers the family reunion adventure of a lifetime.

Be sure to invite all your relatives, because there is plenty of space for everyone. Beavers Bend Lakeview Lodge has 40 rooms each with a million-dollar view, sits high above Broken Bow Lake. Beavers Bend Resort Park has 47 cabins located in wood groves overlooking the Mountain Fork River. The cabins can sleep from two to six people and come equipped with kitchen/dining utensils, stove, refrigerator, linens, and central heat and air. Most cabins have fireplaces. None have telephones or televisions. PETS ARE WELCOME. The area offers many types of lodging, from rustic cabins to elegantly appointed log homes and affordable cabins nestled in the pines. Some of the larger ones sleep up to 20 people, making for a family-sized slumber party, shared chats over breakfast, or for telling family stories in front of the fireplace. The cabins have a range of amenities, including covered porches for watching the wildlife, hot tubs, barbecue grills, fire pits, satellite television, DVD players, and stocked fish ponds. Some allow pets, but it is always best to call ahead to verify your pets' welcome.

Beavers Bend State Park's pavilion is a great place for large families to gather, cook out and share photos, a luncheon, genealogy notes, or just spend time catching up. For groups of up to 50 people, the nearby Heritage Center has indoor meeting rooms available.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, a plethora of activities awaits. Swim, fish, canoe, kayak, paddleboat, play on jet skis or wave runners, parasail, or snorkel in the crystalline waters of Broken Bow Lake. Because the lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains, the water is extremely clear, making it a wonderful spot for scuba diving. Those who want a more relaxing experience can try their hand at fishing for crappie, trout, largemouth bass, or channel catfish. Of course, McCurtain County offers the best rainbow and brown trout fishing in the the the south-central US.

If water's not your thing, don't worry. There are plenty of other things to do. You can take advantage of the deep, surrounding forests, complete with 100-foot tall ancient pines. It's the perfect place to have a scavenger hunt as one of your family reunion activities. Wildlife abounds, and if you go hiking on one of the many trails, you might see eagles, deer, squirrels, raccoons, and perhaps even a black bear. If you don't like to hike, climb into a saddle and see the forest from horseback. Several outfitters in the area offer trail rides for every kind of rider, from the beginner to the advanced. . If you would like to bring your own horse, some cabins have equine facilities, so you can pack a picnic lunch in your saddlebags and ride to your heart's content.

Golfers can try nearby Cedar Creek Golf Course, chosen by Golf Digest as the Best Municipal Golf Course in the state of Oklahoma. With its small green, the 16th hole, surrounded almost entirely by water, is considered one of the most difficult in Oklahoma.

For those who do not enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of other things to do. Gift shops and antique stores in the nearby towns of Broken Bow and Hochatown carry handmade quilts, beaded Indian jewelry, primitive crafts, and more. Many area restaurants offer fine dining.

History buffs can check out the Museum of the Red River, which houses one of the most comprehensive Native American collections found anywhere. While there, see the interpretive exhibits exploring prehistoric, historic, and contemporary native cultures of North and South America and a gigantic, 90-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton.