Heavener Runestone Trails

Hike Name: Heavener Runestone Trails Location: southeast OK Length: 2.5 Submitted by: Alan Rhodes Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Oklahoma trail reviews Oklahoma national parks Oklahoma state parks
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Description
I like to catagorize hikes into three catagories-Scenery, Accomplishment(such as length), and Historical. Heavener Runestone State Park in southeast Oklahoma falls into the historical catagory.
Heavener Oklahoma lies at the foot of Poteau Mountain. Halfway up the mountain is the park, where in the 1830's a Choctaw Indian hunting party discovered a great slab of rock 12 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 16 inces thick, it's face inscribed with markings that have been authenticated as Norse-carvings or characters in the runic alphebet. This adds to the theory that the Vikings were here long before Columbus. The theory is that the Vikings came up into the Mississippi river and navigated there way through rivers and tributaries eventually to Poteau river where they explored the area.
The stone which is now enclosed in a building is down in a beautiful deep ravine just a short downward hike from the gift shop. There is plenty of info on the Runestone, the park has informative displays and liturature in the gift shop.
The park also has a couple of other short tails to explore. The Nature trail a one mile loop begins near the information center. The Cliff Side Trail winds along the cliffs above the Runestone over to an overlook of Lake Wister and the Quachita Mountains.
Since there is only a short amount of hiking here this would be a nice stop on the way to Lake Wister State Park or The Quachita National Forest where longer trails are available.

Directions to Hike
Heavener Oklahoma is located south of Poteau Oklahoma on highway 59. To reach the park cross the railroad tracks in the center of town, take the first turn north and follow the signs that lead up the mountain to the park.
This is a day use only park. They have restrooms, picnic tables and group shelters with water and electricity available for use. There is also a gift shop.

Contact Information
Heavener Runestone State Park Route 1, Box 1510 Heavener, Oklahoma 74937 (918)653-2241

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