Family activities in Broken Bow go far beyond boating and swimming at the lake. When someone wants to sit out the boat ride or the kids need a change of scenery, Hochatown offers plenty of entertaining options within a small area. From animal encounters and mini golf to go-karts, escape rooms, and laser tag, here are seven activities worth adding to your itinerary.
Hochatown Petting Zoo
Most of the animals here are rescues, injured, orphaned, or surrendered. Kids can feed and pet goats, guinea pigs, and baby ducks, and staff sometimes bring out reptiles or birds for a closer look. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and mornings tend to be the best time to visit since the animals are more active before the afternoon heat sets in. Admission is modest and goes directly toward the animals’ care.
Mini Golf (With a Few Different Personalities)
Hochatown has more mini golf than you’d expect for its size, and each course has its own theme:
- Chili Dippers Golf Club is an 18-hole course with turf fairways and sand traps, closer to a real course layout than typical putt-putt. Green fees run $20 for adults and $15 for children under 13 and seniors 65 and over.
- Shipwreck Cove at Beaver’s Bend Mining Company is a new 18-hole outdoor course with a pirate and shipwreck theme, gentle enough for younger kids.
- Dino Dig Golf, also at Beaver’s Bend Mining Company, is an indoor dinosaur-themed course, which makes it a solid backup plan on a rainy or scorching afternoon. Call ahead for current hours and green fees.
Go-Karts at Bigfoot Speedway
Bigfoot Speedway sits on Stevens Gap Road, just a few miles from Broken Bow Lake, and it’s become a go-to for families looking to burn off some energy. Riders need to be at least 55 inches tall to drive solo; children at least 36 inches tall ride free in a double kart with a driver who is 21 or older and holds a valid licence. Races are $10 each and run about a mile and a half. Hours shift with the season, so check before you drive out: as of September 2026 they are open Monday to Thursday 3 to 5 p.m., Friday 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday noon to 8 p.m., closed Sundays. It is a cash-only spot, and they enforce a dress code: shirts and shorts are required over swimwear, so pack accordingly.
ATV and UTV Rentals
For families with older kids or teens, Bandits ATV and Boat Rentals offers UTV rentals for exploring the forest trails around Hochatown, no towing required since they offer direct trail access. They also now offer street-legal UTVs, which means you can legally cruise between attractions, grab lunch, or head down to the lake without needing a separate vehicle. Expect a refundable security deposit, and everyone in your group should plan on closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.
Bigfoot Axe Throwing
Yes, actual axe throwing, Bigfoot-themed and all. Participants need to be at least 10 years old, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them. Staff run a mandatory safety briefing before you start, so even total beginners are covered. Sessions run $20 per person for 30 minutes or $25 for a full hour, and there is a gift shop with cold drinks next door if part of your group wants to sit this one out.
Hochatown Escape Games
If your crew includes puzzle people, this is worth a look. There are seven themed rooms, most built for groups of 2 to 8, from a crime-scene mystery called Cabin in the Woods to a bomb-defusal room called The Oval Office that they say only about 20% of teams beat. One of them, The Pirates Code, is mobile, so you can play it at your cabin. It’s a good option for an evening activity after a full day outside, or as a rainy-day backup.
Laser Tag at Battle on the Rocks
Rounding things out, Battle on the Rocks offers laser tag in an outdoor arena, with short back-to-back rounds. Prices change, so check with them before you go. It’s built for ages 8 and up, and there’s a restaurant and bar on site if the adults want to watch from the sidelines with a drink in hand.
Building It Into Your Trip
Most of these spots cluster around Hochatown, so it’s realistic to knock out two or three in a single afternoon, mini golf and axe throwing, or go-karts and the petting zoo, without much driving in between. It’s a good rhythm for a Broken Bow trip: mornings on the lake, afternoons split between something active and something low-key, and evenings winding down over dinner at one of the best restaurants in Broken Bow.
If you’re traveling with a bigger group, it’s worth checking out cabins built for large groups in Broken Bow, which tend to be centrally located enough that none of this requires much of a detour. If you are staying with us, The Pine Reserve is the easiest base for a trip like this. It is our family house in Broken Bow, with a playground, a nursery, a kids’ gaming loft, an arcade and a theatre room, so the days you stay in are as easy as the days you go out. It takes up to 30, which suits several families travelling together. For a smaller group, Tahoe in the Pines sleeps 12 and has a private pool and hot tub.
Hours, prices and age rules were checked directly with each business on 16 September 2026. Small operators in Hochatown change their hours often, so confirm before you drive out.
