Poteau is the county seat for LeFlore County in the Kiamichi Country of Oklahoma and near Cavanal Hill, also know 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. Poteau 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.

Attractions

 • 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 know as the "The World's Highest Hill".
 • 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.

Activities

 • Poteau Frontier Rodeo This is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo with top cowhands from throughout the United States. It is held each year in September.

Dining

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.
 • Lahuerta Mexican Restaurant (918) 649-0086
 • Lin's Garden Chinese Restaurant 2602 N Broadway St., (918) 647-4133 Nice Chinese buffet. Takeout also available.
 • Mattie's Cafe 2900 Central Street (918) 647-9525
 • Myers Drive-In 305 North Broadway Street (918) 647-4464 Hot Dogs and Hamburgers at a 50's style Drive-In.
 • Simple Simons Pizza 1900 N Broadway St., (918) 649-3696
 • Warehouse Willy's 300 Dewey Ave., (918) 649-3400 Very good steak house in downtown Poteau.

Get out

 • Talimena Drive from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas 54 Mile scenic drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery. Convenient access to the drive near the mid-point can be accessed from Poteau by taking Hwy 59 south.