Cavanal Hill

Cavanal Hill, officially Cavanal Mountain near Poteau in eastern Oklahoma, has long been a regional landmark and destination, locally promoted as the “World’s Highest Hill” because its rise from nearby low ground falls just short of the old 2,000-foot rule for a mountain. Its name likely came through French explorers and trappers active here in the 18th century, who also established Poteau nearby. In 1819 Thomas Nuttall studied plants on and around the hill. Later it stood on a Choctaw Nation county line, drew visitors to a summit health resort, and figured in the area’s coal-mining history through Witteville. Today a paved road reaches the summit above the Poteau River Valley.

Oklahoma · United States