Southeast Oklahoma is three hours away from DFW, yet it feels like an entirely different world. The piney forests are at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest, and for those who love the great outdoors, it’s the ultimate playground. Broken Bow, OK, has long been a destination for North Texans; you can get away from the daily grind without the hassle of a long drive or flight.
The popular vacation destination that includes Broken Bow, Hochatown, Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow Lake, and Mountain Fork River has been calling to families and outdoor enthusiasts for decades, and there’s no sign of slowing down. We spoke with a longtime visitor and homeowner whose love for the area led her to build a cabin in 2022, both as a retreat for her family and a welcoming haven for guests.
Tucked away in a beautiful hilltop landscape, “Mi Vida Loca” is located in a small waterfront resort community filled with numerous resort amenities. This modern-style luxury cabin is filled with vibrant color inspired by Mexican culture and art, and includes thoughtful details that families will appreciate. The owner is a psychotherapist and counselor, and after 40 years in the business, she can see how busy lifestyles affect relationships for couples and children. “I poured everything I could into this cabin to create a space where our family and other families could go and reconnect with each other and nature. So there are a lot of little special touches and features that I have added to help with family connections,” she says.
Mi Vida Loca was designed with an open floor plan. Guests can prep a meal in the kitchen while others play a game in the dining room, while the kids enjoy the loft area, and it’ll feel like everyone is still together.
The cabin is filled with playful things like conversation cards, a hidden library filled with books, games, and bean bags for kids, a third floor crow’s nest lookout, a laser night sky show in the kids’ room, a deck with an outdoor fireplace, a hot tub, TV, shuffleboard, outdoor swings, corkscrew slide, and Tee Pees, all of which make it the perfect place to hang out after a day hiking, kayaking, playing on the lake or enjoying any of the other activities Broken Bow has to offer.
Just a short walk from the cabin, the neighborhood clubhouse has a resort swimming pool, kiddie pool, hot tub, stocked fishing ponds with waterfalls, walking trails, snack bar, and even a kitchen—yet another aspect that’ll appeal to guests wanting a long weekend or week away to reconnect.
Deciding how to spend your time in Broken Bow is no easy feat. There are so many things to do, everything from a drive-through safari, petting zoo, and mining for gems to zip lining, water sports, hiking, Tiki boat tours, and several engaging museums, like the Forest Heritage Center, for guests of all ages. The owners of Mi Vida Loca love and appreciate the area and provide an extensive directory on their website with the area's activities and restaurants so you can decide what to do on your getaway.
If you aren’t in the mood to cook at home, there are plenty of restaurants to try. Pressa Italia serves up classic pasta dishes with gluten-free options, as well as pizzas. La Cocina De Maria has the best street tacos in the area, and Brick and Bread offers made-from-scratch soups, salads, and sandwiches. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, stop by Loblolly Chocolates for fudge, truffles, cookies, and more.
When’s the best time to visit Broken Bow? According to the owner of Mi Vida Loca, anytime is a good time. “Honestly, I love every season. This part of Oklahoma has four seasons, so going hiking in the fall is incredible with all the leaves changing, but it's beautiful in the spring because you have the dogwood trees. Each season has unique features, and even in July when the temperatures are the hottest, that’s when you get on the lake and in the river. I just feel like it is an all-season venue, and there are just so many special, unique themes that are attached to whatever the season is,” she says.
For more information on Mi Vida Loca and Broken Bow, visit mycabinbrokenbow.com.