LeFlore County,
Oklahoma
Where the Ouachita Mountains meet the Arkansas River
A Land of Mountains, Rivers & Community
Nestled along Oklahoma’s eastern border with Arkansas, LeFlore County is one of the most scenic and historically rich counties in the state. From the towering ridges of the Ouachita Mountains to the winding banks of the Arkansas River, this land has shaped the people who call it home for generations.
The county seat is Poteau, and the county is part of the greater Fort Smith metropolitan area, giving residents access to both the quiet beauty of rural Oklahoma and the conveniences of a larger regional city just across the state line.
“The county’s name honors the prominent LeFlore family of the Choctaw Nation — a testament to the deep Native American heritage that defines this part of Oklahoma.”
The Choctaw Nation has called this land home for centuries, and that heritage remains central to LeFlore County’s identity today. Before statehood in 1907, the area was part of the Choctaw Nation’s Moshulatubbee and Apukshunnubbee districts.
Mountains, Forests & Waterways
LeFlore County covers 1,609 square miles of breathtaking terrain. The Ouachita Mountains extend into the county from the south, with the Winding Stair and Kiamichi mountain ranges dominating the southern half. Cavanal Hill — known as the World’s Highest Hill at 1,999 feet — stands as a proud landmark near Poteau.
The Arkansas River forms the county’s northern boundary, while the Poteau and James Fork Rivers wind through the landscape, feeding forests of pine and cedar that have sustained the region’s timber industry for over a century. The Ouachita National Forest covers much of the southern portion of the county, making it a destination for outdoor recreation.
Cavanal Hill
Recognized as the World’s Highest Hill at 1,999 feet — just one foot short of official mountain status.
Ouachita National Forest
Thousands of acres of protected forest covering the county’s southern half, offering hiking, camping, and wildlife.
Talimena Scenic Byway
Oklahoma State Highway 1, opened in 1969 and designated a scenic byway in 1989, showcases stunning fall foliage.
A Rich & Storied Past
Long before statehood, LeFlore County was home to the Choctaw Nation following the Treaty of Doak’s Stand in 1820. Fort Coffee was established in 1832, and the area became a crossroads of Native American life, early frontier settlement, and Civil War conflict.
The region saw fierce Civil War action, including a battle on September 1, 1863, when Confederate forces ambushed a Union column near what is now the county. The old Butterfield Overland Mail route passed through here as early as 1858, connecting the frontier to California.
From the 1880s onward, coal mining and timber production brought railroad construction and rapid growth. The county organized at statehood in 1907 with a population of 24,678, and by 1920 had grown to over 42,000 residents. The opening of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and the Talimena Scenic Drive in the 1960s and 70s brought renewed economic activity to the region.
Governor and U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr — one of Oklahoma’s most celebrated political figures — established his ranch outside Poteau in the 1950s. Today, the Kerr Conference Center, Museum, and the Overstreet-Kerr Historical Farm keep that legacy alive.
Towns Across LeFlore County
LeFlore County is home to a diverse collection of communities, each with its own character and history. From the county seat of Poteau to the small towns tucked into the mountain hollows, these are the places that make up our home.
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