Hugo Lake, a Corps of Engineers reservoir a few kilometres east of town, offers fishing, boating, and camping in a setting of rolling pine and oak woodland typical of southeastern Oklahoma's Kiamichi country. The lake covers about 7,000 acres and supports bass, catfish, and crappie fishing that draws anglers from across the region.
Hugo Lake State Park on the south shore has full camping facilities, a marina, and boat ramp access. The surrounding Ouachita foothills are pleasant to drive through and less visited than the more famous areas further east toward Arkansas. If you are spending a night in Hugo, the lake gives you somewhere to be outdoors.