Life in Southeast Oklahoma
- 8 State Parks
- 6 Colleges & Universities
- 26+ Annual Festivals
- 52,800+ Acres of Lakes
Wrapped in the Ouachita National Forest, laidback southeast Oklahoma tucks back in some of the region’s lushest landscapes. If you cherish community, culture, and the occasional campfire, get the moving van ready.
Best for: Slow living among the great outdoors
Popular Places to Move
Antlers
Population
2,221
Average Home Value
$126,228
Wilburton
Population
2,285
Average Home Value
$126,042
Broken Bow
Population
4,228
Average Home Value
$308,683
Idabel
Population
6,961
Average Home Value
$119,278
McAlester
Population
18,171
Average Home Value
$149,165
How does life in southeast Oklahoma compare?
Top Industries
Great Outdoors
If you love fresh air, you’ll love southeastern Oklahoma. The pine-covered Ouachita Mountains run directly through it, prime for hiking, hunting, and horseback riding in popular Beavers Bend State Park. The bluffs of Robbers Cave State Park are a bucket list stop for many rappellers, and Red Slough Wildlife Management Area offers premiere birdwatching (and even a few alligators). For fishermen, the Mountain Fork River is open 365 days a year for trout fly fishing, and Broken Bow Lake is regularly ranked one of the top bass fishing spots in the nation.
Robbers Cave State Park
Wilburton
Ouachita Mountains
Festivals
Tradition is essential in southeast Oklahoma. Each year, Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma honors Durant’s floral heritage and Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show celebrates turn-of-the-century skills like woodturning, blacksmithing, and basket weaving. Locals also look forward to a sweet slice at Valliant’s Watermelon Festival and hot air balloon rides at Poteau BalloonFest. Local lore stays alive at Honobia Bigfoot Festival, and the vintage cars of Robbers Cave Fall Festival are a tradition for many Oklahoma families.
Valliant Watermelon Festival
Valliant
Beavers Bend Folk Festival
Beavers Bend State Park
Poteau Balloon Festival
Poteau
Food & Drink
Southeast Oklahoma’s restaurant scene is a blend of Southern charm and local flavor. Eat one of the New York Times’ best chicken fried steaks at Reba’s Place, savor pickle-brined brisket at Phat Tabb’s BBQ in Idabel, or dive into fresh seafood at Captain John’s in McAlester. For a quick lunch, check out the Old Ice House in Durant, and every Oklahoman must chow down on Pete’s Place spaghetti at least once.
Reba's Place
Atoka
Phat Tabb's BBQ
Idabel
Captain John's
McAlester
Endangered Ark Foundation
Hugo
Museum of the Red River
Idabel
Family Fun
Tight-knit small towns put family first in southeast Oklahoma, with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. Spend your weekends hiking or kayaking as a family, cooling off at local splash pads and parks, or even feeding elephants breakfast at the Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo. Kid-friendly museums are also go-tos for field trips and hands-on learning, like Idabel’s Museum of the Red River and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Durant.
Choctaw Culture
Headquartered in Durant, the Choctaw Nation is central to life in southeast Oklahoma. As the third-largest tribal nation in the United States, its thumbprint is imprinted on the area from infrastructure and economic development to entertainment. Delve into the Native American history and heritage at the Choctaw Nation Cultural Center, experience the lively Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival, or unwind poolside at the Choctaw Casino Resort.
