Hi there!

Have you ever wondered where the World’s highest Hill is located?

Then you came to the right place!

Today we are going to make a visit out to Eastern Oklahoma in the tiny town of Poteau and explore the world’s highest hill known as Cavanal Hill.

My niece Lucy, who just turned ten years old, informed me that Cavanal Hill should find a place in my blog.

 

 

 

So here we are!

Lucy this one is for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on this unique spot in Oklahoma, Travel Oklahoma has some great information. Here is the link….https://www.travelok.com

 

 

Almost a Mountain

 

Taking relaxing drives in the Sooner State seems to be the new activity everyone is doing.

So, today I thought I would mention one of my favorites here in Oklahoma.

Cavanal Hill.

Standing at 1,999 feet above sea level, this unique spot in eastern Oklahoma falls one foot shy of being a mountain.

As you enter the tiny town of Poteau, Oklahoma you’ll see this majestic hill in the distance. This is a place that is must-see if you are visiting the eastern part of the state.

So how did this hill come to be known worldwide as the World’s highest hill?

Well, in the 1930’s the local boy scout troop was corresponding with a troop in England. The troop from England informed the local scouts they read about Cavanal in their handbook.

The local troop took this information to the Chamber of Commerce and began promoting it as the world’s highest hill.

 

 

 

 

 

The History of the Hill

This unusual spot in Eastern Oklahoma was a notable landmark for French Explorers who traveled this area in the 18th century and gave the landmark its name.

Modern development of the land on Cavanal began in the late 1800’s. Captain Ed McKenna established the first road that led to the summit.

French fur trappers eventually established a camp at the base of Cavanal and named it Poteau, for Post.

Walter Beard was an early founder of Poteau. During his early years, Beard made a fortune through real estate. Later, he served as the mayor from 1901 to 1902.

After his term ended, he began to develop Cavanal Hill. He dug a large well, built summer homes, and sold lots on the hill.

After McKenna passed, he purchased his orchards and built a large mansion-like resort near the edge of the plateau. During this time, the resort was one of the most popular destination points in Poteau.

People would travel from all over the United States to stay there. Supposedly, bandits use to come out here and stay while moving through the area. Poteau at one time, was the center of outlaw country in Indian territory.

Halfway up the hill, a man named George Witte established the town of Witteville. The town proper initially consisted of section homes for the mine workers, a foreman’s residence, and a company store.

George Witte was very ambitious. As the first mayor, he was instrumental in the development of the town. Today, Cavanal Hill is one of the most visited sites in Poteau. With so much history, I can definitely see why.

 

 

 

Cavanal Hill Recreation

This place is now the site of mountain bike races and the Cavanal Hill Killer 5-mile walk. This walk is defnitley a calorie burner.

The Cavanal Killer is a 5-mile Walk/Run to the top of the hill. It’s held in May each year, generally on the 2nd Saturday.

The 5-mile climb is an intense climb. You will be gaining 1500′ altitude with an average gradient of 8%, some sections tilting upward at 14%. This walk/run is not to be taken lightly but is also very rewarding.

For more information on this race, please check out the Poteau Chamber of Commerce at https://www.poteauchamber.com

As you make the four-and-a-half-mile trek, you will be rewarded with some panoramic views of the Poteau River Valley. If it’s a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Magazine in Arkansas.

When you get to the lookout points, you can literally see two thirds of the entire county. You can see Sugar loaf Mountain, the Poteau Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, and Wister Lake. Pretty cool if you ask me!

The drive itself takes anywhere between 30-40 minutes to complete. So, take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

 

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

 

And there you have it. We just visited the world’s highest hill. Oklahoma has lots of cool and unique places and Cavanal Hill definitely ranks high on both of those categories.

With so much history here, this would be a fun day trip for those who want to check out cool and interesting spots in Oklahoma.

Once the weather cools down, I highly recommend visiting this hill in late October or Early November. This is the prettiest place in Oklahoma for fall foliage.

I hope you get a chance to go out and visit this beautiful place in the Sooner State. Please share your experiences in the comment section below.