A 12-foot slab of sandstone bearing eight carved characters that resemble Viking runes, the Heavener Runestone has been the centre of a stubborn pre-Columbian-Norse-contact theory for over a century. Most serious archaeologists are sceptical; a small and persistent group of enthusiasts is not. Either way, the stone is real, the setting is good, and the park around it is a pleasant excuse for a half-day trip from Poteau.
The runestone sits in a wooded ravine reached by a short paved path. There is a small interpretive shelter, picnic tables, and several walking trails through the surrounding Poteau Mountain woods. The park is about 30 minutes south of Poteau by car.