Broken Bow Fall Foliage: Best Spots to Take Pictures
The arrival of fall can mean only one thing. Time to plan your leaf-peeping road trip and discover the best places for fall foliage in Broken Bow Oklahoma!
Dig out your hiking boots, wrap up warm, and decant your pumpkin spice latte into your favorite flask. For this adventure, you’ll want to allow yourself plenty of time to experience all of the beauty Broken Bow bestows.
Red, gold, yellow, bronze. The colors of the fall scenery make for some of the most beautiful photographs. And with plenty of hiking trails and parks, this undeniably panoramic place is perfect for anyone looking to get outdoors and snap some unforgettable shots.
From challenging hikes and finally getting a picture of a Black Bear, to scenic drives and days by the water – read on to discover the magic of the fall scenery in Broken Bow.
Skyline Trail - One for the experienced hikers!
It’s time to plan your leaf-peeping road trip, and we think that the Skyline Trail should be top of your list. This trail takes you on an 11.5-mile hike through some of Broken Bow’s best spots to take pictures. Think beautiful glistening waterfalls, rolling picturesque mountains, and the magnificent changing color of the leaves.
If you are looking for a challenging route, while also exploring the Broken Bow fall foliage, then this trail is for you. Although this trail is demanding, those who complete it are rewarded with incredible views and a fantastic sense of achievement. In addition, the relaxing forest sounds and breathtaking fall scenery of Broken Bow will make the uphill climb worth it!
The Skyline Trail looks down over the Mountain Fork River. This is a captivating spot for pictures, and a perfect place to cool down after your hike with a refreshing swim! It can get pretty busy on the water, but it is still a fantastic place to relax and take in the natural beauty of Broken Bow.
Not looking to snap photos of canoes and kayaks? Plan your leaf-peeping trip for the early evening. This way, you can get some incredible shots of the sun setting behind the mountains.
You can also take pictures of the Broken Bow fall foliage, which lines the bank of the Mountain Fork River, as the colors of the trees are reflected in the water.
How to take an up-close picture of a black bear in Beavers Bend
The short answer is, don’t. We know you’re probably so excited to capture the wildlife amongst the fall foliage. However, if you think you’re going to get up close and have a photo shoot with a black bear, think again.
Black bears are known to have good vision close-up. Their hearing exceeds the range of a human, and their potential to smell is 100 times greater than in humans too. That means they can spot you and smell you. They will know if you’re trying to take their picture before you even get close.
The best way to take a picture of a black bear is from afar, with a long lens. But we understand that not everyone has a professional camera. Nor do you always want to lug around a heavy piece of equipment on your hike.
If you do happen to see a black bear, stay calm and don’t make any sudden movements. Also, make yourself look as big as possible by raising your arms above your head or holding a jacket open. And if the bear does come closer, never run – they could mistake you for prey.
Now that we have that nice PSA out of the way, let’s get back to taking pretty pictures of fall foliage!
The above doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get the perfect shot. You just have to be a little more patient, and wait for the black bear to make an appearance. We recommend getting up early and setting up camp near one of their known feeding spots.
You might not get the perfect shot on your first try, but with a little bit of patience (and luck), you could end up with an incredible photo and an amazing story to tell.
By the way, the black bears can’t smell fear on you. It’s a myth! But we would still rather you kept your distance and consider your safety when photographing wildlife on your leaf-peeping adventure.
National Scenic Byway – There’s a reason for its name!
Don’t feel like hiking and want to take in the Broken Bow fall foliage from the comfort of your car? If that's the case, we recommend driving along the National Scenic Byway. This route is jam-packed with incredible views, and it’s the perfect place to stop and snap some pictures.
Stretching 54 miles, this byway was explicitly designed for drivers to take in the view. And oh, what a view it is!
We’re thinking of stunning golden panorama shots and a collection of leaf-peeping images guaranteed to make everyone feel like they were actually there themselves, experiencing the fall foliage in Broken Bow.
It’s recommended that you take the drive during the final few weeks of October if you really want to make the most of the season. As the trees prepare for winter, the leaves will start to change from a glistening green to a range of oranges, reds, and yellows.
With a trusty camera by your side, you’ll be able to capture the autumnal colors in full swing.
Lookout Mountain Loop: A nature enthusiast’s dream!
Lookout Mountain Loop is not only recommended for getting your heart racing as you tackle the mountain inclines– but it’s also the perfect place to take some breathtaking shots of the foliage.
Proficient hikers would tell you that the Lookout Mountain Loop is one of the best routes to take in the fall! One reason for this is as the falling leaves from the trees mean your view isn’t as obscured as it would be in other seasons. Just remember to watch your step – although very pretty, those leaves can be very slippery!
Nature enthusiasts love this route too, as it will take you through some of the most untouched areas of the forest. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, wild turkeys, and other small woodland creatures that make their home in the area. There are also over a whopping 300 different species of birds living in the area, with more migrating through during the fall months.
Wow, imagine the variety of pictures you will have of birds in fall scenery after exploring Lookout Mountain Loop.
Other trails recommended for bird watching in the Beavers Bend State Park are:
- Deer Crossing Trail
- Tree Trail
- Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
- Lakeview Lodge Trail
All of these trials will offer different opportunities to take in the Broken Bow fall foliage, as well as give you a chance to see some of the incredible wildlife that lives in the area.
Conclusion
We hope this has given you some inspiration for taking amazing pictures of the Broken Bow fall foliage! Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an amateur with a new camera, there are plenty of opportunities to get the perfect shot in this beautiful part of the country.
Just remember to be safe, have fun, and enjoy the incredible views that Broken Bow has to offer.
You have your camera, but what else do you need to take the perfect fall foliage photo? Check out our list of must-have items in this blog post to read about the things you don’t want to forget when packing. And don’t forget the bug spray!
