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Writer's pictureFriscoDoug

Best Running Trails at Hibernation Hollow Cabins and Hochatown

Hibernation Hollow Cabins is located right in the middle of some of the best running one can find. In my experience running in the area, there are three routes that have really stood out to me, so I will impart this wisdom upon you for your trip! Keep in mind, these routes are also great for walking and hiking as well as running. Some are shorter than others and, as a result, are fantastic for a family or group hike.



A Weekly Staple

One of my favorite routes to run while in Hochatown is a route I like to call “Run, Swim, Run.” When staying at Hibernation Hollow Cabins, this route is a staple in my routine. It is exactly two miles out and two miles back. This route is perfect for runners of any level!


You will encounter a steady uphill from about one kilometer into the run and crest the hill at about two kilometers into the run. From there to the turn around point is a bittersweet downhill that totals at almost exactly 100 feet. After descending the hill, you will see a dead end blocked by a lake. This lake is actually the Broken Bow Reservoir. I love to jump in the water and go for a swim—especially in this July heat. This particular route is great for finishing your run with a swim followed by a nice leisurely cool down back to the cabins.


However, if you are still in search of a little more of a workout, the hill you will be climbing on the way back is great for a small workout session. Hill repeats are always a favorite here. In addition, if you are a triathlete, this water is perfect for an open water swim. There are rarely boats in the area, so there is a lot of space to spread out and swim.


The great thing about this route is that it is long enough for one to feel accomplished, but it is still short enough if you were wanting to get some more miles in for the day. In which case, you can add on with some of the other routes!


Pro tip: use the dirt road that runs parallel to the 259 to switch between routes or to find new roads. 259 is quite busy, so it is best to stay off as much as possible.


See the route on Strava here.



The Perfect Warmup

I am always in search of a good warm up route—the forever search for the route that has it all: a clear turn-around point (or it’s a loop), between two and three miles, hills to wake up the legs, and bonus points if it’s dirt or another type of loose terrain! Well, the warm up route that I use when staying at Hibernation Hollow Cabins has all of that and more.


Measuring up to about 2.3 miles, this out and back stretch is everything you are looking for in a warm up route. It stretches from the Hibernation Hollow Cabins all the way down to land blocked off by the Kiamichi Hunting Club. At that point, you will see a small beam-like gate with a “Keep Out” sign barricading the path. This is the turn around point.


The hills on this route aren’t so big that they’ll tire you out before your workout, but they are enough to wake up the hamstrings, glutes, and calves. When the route is completed, you will have climbed roughly 100 feet of elevation. This route is also very simple, and it’s quite difficult to get lost. After you get off of Woodland Circuit and get onto Lost Cedar Trail, as long as you keep going straight, you will have no worries.


See the route on Strava here.


Long Run Day

What Hochatown route list would be complete without mentioning Beavers Bend State Park? Exactly zero of them! From Hibernation Hollow Cabins, the entrance to the park is less than one mile away, and there are miles of trails throughout the park! (Click here to see our list of hiking/running trails.)


For Strava users, this area is incredible. There is one segment at the entrance of the park about .8 miles from Hibernation Hollow Cabins. If you find yourself doing a long run, there are five different segments within a 14 mile (out and back) distance. If you are looking to go even longer, there are exactly 10 segments that you can hit in Beavers Bend State Park. The distance it would take to cover all of them will vary depending on the order in which you run them, but it would take somewhere between 16 and 20 miles to cover each segment.


This route I have linked isn’t much other than showing you how to get to the park. Once you are on the main road, there are plenty of trails to run. Unfortunately, Strava mapping doesn’t allow for routing trails that aren’t on the satellites, so popular trails only show up on the heatmaps.


If you wish to follow the main road and not venture onto the trails, that is more than fine as well! The main road of the park loops all the way around and ends up right back at 259 just 2 miles down the road. You can just stay right on that road, and it will be about 11.2 miles from Hibernation Hollow Cabins.


If you decide to run the whole stretch of the main road, I wouldn’t necessarily advise someone to run on 259 upon exiting the park as there is minimal shoulder, and the speed limit is 55, so it can make for treacherous running. The safest bet is to just turn around on the main road when you see fit.


The linked route is just a hair over 5 miles, and it includes two segments on the main park road. This will be quite the hilly route for some people. It’s a great stretch of road to do either hill repeats on or tempo runs. Be careful when rounding turns, and be mindful of cars. Stay on the shoulder, and when cars pass in a tight spot, give them room.


See the route on Strava here.


I have run all over the country—and even the world for that matter—and the running near Hibernation Hollow Cabins is some of the best I have ever experienced. Even if you are not a runner, the hiking in this area is gorgeous, and you will see things you never would have expected. This land is a must visit for any runner, and Hibernation Hollow Cabins is the perfect lodging for a runner to set up camp! Happy running!


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