Living in the busy Dallas metroplex makes us crave a quiet getaway once in a while. Sometimes we need to unplug for a couple of days and connect with nature. I have had friends rave about camping trips in Oklahoma and was beginning to feel like I was missing out. I finally booked the trip to Broken Bow, and boy, it did not disappoint! But even if you are only looking for a road-trip less than three hours from Dallas Fort Worth area with no overnight stay I still highly recommend Broken Bow. The drive is simple, and it can easily be done as a fun little day trip with mom.

If you are more into the “glamping” scene than setting up a tent in the woods, Broken Bow has plenty of options for you. With a huge choice of glamourous tent camping and luxury cabins we opted for a secluded cabin in Beavers Bend State Park and Nature Center, and it made our experience very cozy and enjoyable. These gorgeous cabins include fully equipped kitchens, with a dishwasher, a washer and a dryer. These amenities were super convenient when traveling with our little ones!

Since our cabin had a kitchen, we brought most meals with us and cooked. However, there are some delicious restaurants that are great for the little ones too. You can easily find them in the KidFriendlyVenues app. We ate on the patio at Mountain Fork Brewery which was very family-friendly. The kids even got to play horseshoes and cornhole while waiting for their food.

Aside from restaurants and accommodations, there is so much to do at Broken Bow, from swimming and hiking to horseback riding and zip lining. The first thing on our list was kayaking. We rented two-person kayaks, so I was able to pair up with my daughter while my husband paired up with our son. The river was moving fairly quickly at the beginning. To be honest, the rush scared me more than the kids. “Mommy, that was awesome! Let’s go again!” my fearless daughter Katie exclaims. I will admit I was nervous about kayaking with the little ones, but the remainder of the route along the water was quite relaxing.

Another highlight of our trip was horseback riding at Riverman Trail Rides. My little Katie is obsessed with horses and ponies. She now claims this was her “most favorite day ever!” I was anxious about the kids being on a horse, but they were well trained to stay at a slow pace. This venue also allows double rides with younger kids if you are more comfortable. The trail took us up scenic hills, and the views were breathtaking.

KidFriendlyVenues app will show you all these venues with details including contact phone numbers, official website and GIS positioning. And of course, you will see our five star ratings!

Allison M.