Posted by Nick Mirro on October 30, 2006 at 9:16 PM
If you've ever been to the Oklahoma portion of Ouachita, your advice is really needed. I've never been there and would love to have a good first experience.
Wants
- A nicely situated cabin, so not much driving after arriving
- Some quiet and seclusion would be nice
- A few good long scenic hikes
- Birdwatching and other photo ops
Not wants
- Walking around like a lost tourist searching to find a trail head
- Mountain bikes whizzing by on trails
- Lots of RV and tourist traffic, kids (love them but trying to escape them : - )
By the way, if I were going to go and didn't have any other info, my first shot would be a state cabin at Beaver's Bend state park. I'm assuming they have them there. This is not based on personal experience, so take with huge grain of rock salt, and Brent's advice would be far better.
Posted by Nick Mirro on October 30, 2006 at 11:50 PM
We have stayed at Beavers Bend SP and it does provide some opportunities. If you do, then you should reserve one of the old cabins as opposed to the newer big lodge. The cabins were built back in the 30's, but have been updated. Not only are they more peaceful, unless you have a noisy heater/air conditioner, they are much more convenient as you can park your car just outside and avoid carrying your gear a long distance.
The only time we were there since my childhood in the 1950's was about 4 yest ago for 2 days after Christmas. There was a Bald Eagle on the river along with a number of other birds at the park nature center which has a number of feeders. The nature center has a balconey which can be used to pholtograph from. There are trails, but we did not explore any of them.
Besides Beavers Bend SP, there is ther Red Slough wildlife are south of Idabel. While it has been dry due to the drought, there has been rain recently which should help.
There is a McCurtain County Wildlife Area (?) established by the state of Oklahoma around 1920 which is north of the park. However, though my father grew up in Idabel, he never knew of it. Also, looking on topo maps most of the Ouchitas including the wildlife area does not seem to be very accessible.
One last thing, I just saw an classified ad in the current (December) issue of Birder's World for "Lodging" in SE Oklahoma. Phone number is 918-653-2187 with http://Talking-Trees.com web site. The ad said they had "Cabins, RVs, Tents + Breakfast & SPA."
Posted by Nick Mirro on November 1, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Thanks for your help. I looked into that area and found some things that made me uncertain. The park trails all appear to be on the order of a mile or less in length. Right in the park there is paddleboating, bingo, a small train, horse stables,etc. What was you experirence there?
Almost all cabins for rent outside of the park advertise mountain bike and 4-wheeler/ATV trails. It would be disappointing to end up anywhere near an ATV trail or to have to share a trail with mountain bikers or horses.
Discussion
5 repliesWants
- A nicely situated cabin, so not much driving after arriving
- Some quiet and seclusion would be nice
- A few good long scenic hikes
- Birdwatching and other photo ops
Not wants
- Walking around like a lost tourist searching to find a trail head
- Mountain bikes whizzing by on trails
- Lots of RV and tourist traffic, kids (love them but trying to escape them : - )
Thanks, Nick
We have stayed at Beavers Bend SP and it does provide some opportunities. If you do, then you should reserve one of the old cabins as opposed to the newer big lodge. The cabins were built back in the 30's, but have been updated. Not only are they more peaceful, unless you have a noisy heater/air conditioner, they are much more convenient as you can park your car just outside and avoid carrying your gear a long distance.
The only time we were there since my childhood in the 1950's was about 4 yest ago for 2 days after Christmas. There was a Bald Eagle on the river along with a number of other birds at the park nature center which has a number of feeders. The nature center has a balconey which can be used to pholtograph from. There are trails, but we did not explore any of them.
Besides Beavers Bend SP, there is ther Red Slough wildlife are south of Idabel. While it has been dry due to the drought, there has been rain recently which should help.
There is a McCurtain County Wildlife Area (?) established by the state of Oklahoma around 1920 which is north of the park. However, though my father grew up in Idabel, he never knew of it. Also, looking on topo maps most of the Ouchitas including the wildlife area does not seem to be very accessible.
One last thing, I just saw an classified ad in the current (December) issue of Birder's World for "Lodging" in SE Oklahoma. Phone number is 918-653-2187 with http://Talking-Trees.com web site. The ad said they had "Cabins, RVs, Tents + Breakfast & SPA."
Park Map (pdf)
Almost all cabins for rent outside of the park advertise mountain bike and 4-wheeler/ATV trails. It would be disappointing to end up anywhere near an ATV trail
Recommendations anyone?