The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center combines a 150-acre site with nearly two miles of interpretive trails. From about 850 to 1450 CE, it was an important religious and ceremonial center of the Caddoan Mississippian culture. Access to the trails is arranged through the visitor center; advance reservations are required for guided tours, and scheduled tours depend on staff availability.
Archaeology and History
On December 19, 2026, the winter solstice program includes guided walks covering different types of mounds, their functions, the significance of the solstices, and the solar alignments found there. Before visiting, check whether the date and schedule are still current. At Heavener Runestone Park, the centerpiece is a runestone inscribed in Swedish, discovered in the 1920s. The park also hosts the annual Heavener Runestone Viking Festival. Check the current event date before traveling.
Other historic sites tell stories from different eras: Fort Coffee was established on June 16, 1834, by the 7th Infantry on the south bank of the Arkansas River. In 1842, the Choctaw Council founded the Fort Coffee Academy for Boys there. The two-story Peter Conser House, an L-shaped farmhouse built in 1894, is preserved as a memorial to Peter Conser and other tribal law enforcement officials. The LeFlore County Museum displays historical artifacts from communities throughout LeFlore County. The museum is housed in the restored Lowrey Hotel, a luxury hotel built in the 1920s and later repurposed.
Lakes and Nature Trails
Lake Wister lies on the Poteau River in LeFlore County and has 115 miles of shoreline. Fish found there include northern sunfish, channel and flathead catfish, white bass, and largemouth bass. Cedar Lake is an 86-acre lake surrounded by hills covered with pines and oaks. A three-mile hiking trail loops around the lake. Motors larger than 7.5 horsepower are not allowed on the water; check this rule locally before setting out.
The trail lengths offer options at different scales: Heavener Runestone Park has three nature trails ranging from 200 yards to one mile, as well as the one-mile Cliffside Trail, which leads to the runestone and a scenic overlook. The Cedar Lake loop is longer, at three miles; the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center has nearly two miles of interpretive trails. At the northern end of Winding Stair Mountain, the Horsethief Springs Trail winds through a variety of tree species and crosses several small streams.
Camping and horseback riding are also part of the region’s outdoor offerings. Billy Creek Recreation Area has 12 basic campsites with grills, tables, lantern posts, fire rings, and centrally located water spigots. It provides access to the Choctaw Nations Trail and Billy Creek Trail. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is a central starting point for more than 70 miles of riding trails and offers more than 130 campsites for riders: 48 sites with electric and water hookups, plus 80 non-electric, undeveloped sites with centrally located water spigots.
Scenic Routes and Seasonal Experiences
The Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway follows Oklahoma Highways 59 and 270 for 22 miles between Heavener and the Arkansas border. It passes through forested valleys in the Ouachita Mountains and the 26,445-acre Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. The Talimena National Scenic Byway runs through the Ouachita National Forest in LeFlore County; it offers remarkable views, especially during fall foliage. Together, they offer distinct landscape experiences: a route through forested valleys and seasonal long-distance views along the Talimena Byway.
Near Poteau, Maple Creek Berry Farm invites visitors to pick blueberries amid rolling hills. The harvest usually lasts from early June to mid-July, but can vary from year to year. If you plan to pick berries, confirm availability before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Heavener, Poteau, Hodgen, Noble County, Major County, Pawnee County, Payne, Logan County.
For the overall travel guide: Oklahoma.
