Life in Southeast Oklahoma

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

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State Parks

Eight state parks dot southeast Oklahoma, ranging from the lush forests of Beavers Bend State Park to the serene shores of Lake Wister State Park. Once you move, driving through Talimena State Park in the fall will quickly become a yearly tradition, as will weekends at Arrowhead State Park. Tranquil Clayton Lake State Park and rocky Robbers Cave State Park are favorites for hiking, and fishermen flock to Raymond Gary State Park and McGee Creek State Park.

Beavers Bend State Park

Robbers Cave State Park

Wilburton

Ouachita Mountains

Festivals

Tradition is essential to life in southeast Oklahoma, especially in the festival scene. 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

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. 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.

Food & Dining

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 book a table at Pete’s Place in Krebs for authentic Italian fare.

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 Cultural Center, Calera

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.

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