Overview
Poteau is a town in the Choctaw Country of Oklahoma and near Cavanal Hill, also known as "The World's Highest Hill". Poteau was selected as one of "The 100 Best Small Towns in America" in Norman Crapton's book by the same title.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Poteau
Cavanal Hill
Drive to the top of Cavanal Hill for a great view. The drive will take about 45 minutes, the road is paved the entire distance but there are some very steep grades. Be careful on the trip down not to burn up your brakes,…
Robert S. Kerr Conference Center & Museum
The previous home of Robert S. Kerr. The center is located on a ridge with a beautiful view. You may tour the site and the museum. There is also a 20 unit Bed and Breakfast and a business conference center. The view from…
Poteau Frontier Rodeo
This is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo with top cowhands from throughout the United States. It is held each year in September.
Poteau 4th of July Celebration
This is an annual festival sponsored by the Poteau Chamber of Commerce. Live music, free games for kids, food and fun. Fireworks show provided by the City of Poteau.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Tulsa)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FSM Fort Smith Regional Airport, Fort Smith — 24 mi away. Directions
- XNA Northwest Arkansas National Airport, Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers — 86 mi away. Directions
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 106 mi away (major hub). Directions
The best way is by car. US Highway 59 and 271 provides access. From Fort Smith, Arkansas take Oklahoma HWY 112. Poteau is 2.5 hours south of Tulsa, Oklahoma and 3 hours east of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cavanal Hill, Robert S. Kerr Conference Center & Museum
- Lunch La Huerta Mexican Restaurant
- Afternoon Poteau Frontier Rodeo, Poteau 4th of July Celebration
- Dinner Myers Drive-In
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
You will find the normal fast food chain restaurants available in Poteau, such as Arby's, Braum's Ice Cream, KFC, McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Mazzio's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Western Sizzlin Steak House and Taco Bell.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Originally a part of Indian Territory, Poteau can be traced back to around 1885 and is pronounced "po toe". If you ask a local how to say it, they may tell you it is what you say when you stub your toe. "Oh my po toe." Poteau is a French word that means "post" or "pole". There are two different beliefs on how the city was named. One is it was a trading post and the other is the name came from the river and the story goes that when the French explorers arrived in the area they had to use poles to navigate the shallow waters of the Poteau River. The latter story seems move likely as the town was developed well after the French explorers arrived.
Poteau is "Above the Ordinary" in every way. As the gateway to the Ouachita and Kiamichi Mountains and home to many lakes and rivers, they offer outdoor recreation such as bass fishing, rodeo, fair grounds, hot air balloon festival, softball, baseball, soccer, hometown parades, 4th of July celebrations, Bluegrass festivals, and many other events.
Get in
By car
The best way is by car. US Highway 59 and 271 provides access. From Fort Smith, Arkansas take Oklahoma HWY 112. Poteau is 2.5 hours south of Tulsa, Oklahoma and 3 hours east of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
By plane
You can fly into Fort Smith regional airport and make the 45 minute drive from there.
Get around
The best way to get around is by car. The layout of Poteau is about 6-miles along US Hwy 59.
See
See Cavanal Hill
Drive to the top of Cavanal Hill for a great view. The drive will take about 45 minutes, the road is paved the entire distance but there are some very steep grades. Be careful on the trip down not to burn up your brakes, use low gears. There are a couple of turnouts along the way with a great view. Cavanal Hill is 1999 ft. above sea level and is known as "The World's Highest Hill".
See Robert S. Kerr Conference Center & Museum
The previous home of Robert S. Kerr. The center is located on a ridge with a beautiful view. You may tour the site and the museum. There is also a 20 unit Bed and Breakfast and a business conference center. The view from the ridge is very good. You can see Rich Mountain, Poteau Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Winding Stair Mountains to the south.
Do
Do Poteau Frontier Rodeo
This is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo with top cowhands from throughout the United States. It is held each year in September.
Buy
Shop WalMart Supercenter
Shop Price Cutter
(grocery store) located along North Broadway the main road through the city which links with State Hwy 112 north of town.
Eat
You will find the normal fast food chain restaurants available in Poteau, such as Arby's, Braum's Ice Cream, KFC, McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Mazzio's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Western Sizzlin Steak House and Taco Bell.
Eat Myers Drive-In
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers at a 50s style Drive-In.
Eat Warehouse Willy's
Very good steak house in downtown Poteau.
Sleep
Stay Black Angus Motel
Stay Holiday Inn Express
Go next
- Talimena Drive from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas 54 Mile National Scenic Byway in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. This is the highest mountain ranges between the Appalachians and the Rockies. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery. Convenient access to the drive near the midpoint can be accessed from Poteau by taking Hwy 59 south.
Nearby
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Heavener
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Spiro
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Pocola
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Greenwood
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Muse
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My experience
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