The Heavener Runestone is a large slab of vertical sandstone on Poteau
Poteau
Poteau is a city in, and county seat of, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 8,520 as of the 2010 census.
Heavener Runestone Park
Heavener Runestone Park is a 55-acre park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit …
Where is the Heavener Runestone?
It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization. The Festival held at the park on two weekends a year serves as a fundraiser for operating and maintaining the park.
Where is Heavener Runestone Park in Oklahoma?
Heavener Runestone Park is a 55-acre (220,000 m 2) park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization.
Where can I Park my RV near Heavener Runestone Park?
Nearby RV locations include; Lake Wister State Park, Cedar Lake and Long Lake Resort. All are within 10-15 minutes from the Heavener Runestone Park. Anything missing or inaccurate?
What is the oldest runestone in the world?
The oldest find is the "Heavener Runestone," first documented in 1923. It is most likely a 19th-century artifact made by a Scandinavian immigrant (possibly a Swede working at the local train depot). Two other "Heavener Runestones" are most likely not runic at all but exhibit incisions of Native American origin.

Are rune stones real?
Rune stones are by and large only found in Scandinavia. Around 250 rune stones are known from Viking Age Denmark. Most of the Scandinavian examples are from Sweden, where there are over 3000 inscriptions.
What is the Heavener Runestone?
The Heavener Runestone is a ten-foot by twelve-foot high sandstone slab carved with symbols that are controversially attributed to the Vikings. For nearly a century, locals referred to it as the “Indian Rock” and assumed that the inscription was made by the Choctaw.
Who found the Heavener Runestone?
Choctaw hunting partyApparently the stone was first discovered in the 1830s by a Choctaw hunting party and was reportedly seen by white trappers in 1874. Locally it became known as Indian Rock, because it was generally believed that American Indians had made the markings.
Did the Vikings go to Oklahoma?
It is believed that one of these ships traveled south along the Atlantic coast, into the Gulf of Mexico, up the Mississippi River and into the Arkansas River around 750 AD. It is speculated that the Vikings stopped at Poteau Mountain near what is now Heavener, Oklahoma.
Where is the Heavener Runestone located?
Le Flore County, OklahomaThe Heavener Runestone (pronounced /ˈhiːvnər/) is located in Heavener Runestone Park in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, near Heavener, Oklahoma.
What is Heavener zip code?
74937Heavener / Zip code
What are runestones ark?
What are Runestones For? Runestones are needed to summon the Fjordur World Bosses (some players just call them mini-bosses) which then allow you to progress to the Ark Bosses.
Where does the word Viking come from?
The name Viking came from the Scandinavians themselves, from the Old Norse word "vik" (bay or creek) which formed the root of "vikingr" (pirate).
When is Heavener Runestone Park open?
Heavener Runestone Park is open:Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
What hotels are near Heavener Runestone Park?
Hotels near Heavener Runestone Park: (0.43 mi) Green Country Inn (7.75 mi) Long Lake Resort (7.80 mi) Cozy Riverfront Cabin in the Ouachita Forest!...
What restaurants are near Heavener Runestone Park?
Restaurants near Heavener Runestone Park: (0.38 mi) Southern Belle Restaurant (0.51 mi) La Magia Del Trigo Bakery (0.53 mi) Subway (0.66 mi) El Cel...
Where is Heavener Runestone Park?
Heavener Runestone Park. / 34.9; -94.578056. / 34.9; -94.578056. Heavener Runestone Park is a 55-acre (220,000 m 2) park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends ...
Who studied Heavener Stone?
Assessment of the runestone. Henrik Williams, a professor of Scandinavian languages at Uppsala University has studied the Heavener stone, as well as many other such stones elsewhere in the world.
What is Heavener Park?
Heavener Park offers , picnic tables, outdoor grills, primitive campsites with showers available, amphitheater, playground, hiking, exploring, and educational programs about the Runestone. The park also offers the top portion for private use for special events such as weddings, reunions birthdays etc for a fee.
Is Heavener Runestone a non profit?
Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization. The Festival held at the park on two weekends a year serves as a fundraiser for operating and maintaining the park.
Is Heavener Runestone State Park a 501c3?
However, the City of Heavener agreed to assume ownership and operation of the 55-acre park beginning July 1, 2011. The park is now managed by a group of volunteers that make a 501c3 non profit organization.
How often does Runestone have Viking Fest?
I have visited the Runestone off and on my whole life . The story behind the Runestone is pretty neat with the Vikings visiting. They have Viking Fest twice a year which is really cool .
Is Eureka Springs a myth?
Eureka Springs, AR5 contributions. pleasant camping experience. May 2021. first, it's important to note that the story about the vikings origin of the stones in this park is a myth. 1, no archaeological evidence exists of vikings ever having been in the area. 2, the very idea of vikings, maritime travelers, forging so deeply into ...
Heavener Runestone State Park
Sits in a ravine, inside a protective shelter. On Poteau Mountain, 2.5 miles east of town in Heavener Runestone State Park, off of US-59/270, and east of Morris Creek Rd.
More Quirky Attractions in Oklahoma
Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Oklahoma.
Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!
Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here. Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.
Where did runestones come from?
A number of runestones have been found in Oklahoma. All of them are likely of modern origin, with some of them possibly dating to the 19th century " Viking revival " or being produced by 19th-century Scandinavian settlers.
Who examined the Runestone?
Archaeologist Lyle Tompsen in a 2007 Masters Thesis for the University of Leicester (published in ESOP 29 2011:5-43) examined the runestone and noted:
Where was the Poteau stone found?
The Poteau stone was found by schoolboys in 1967 near Poteau in Le Flore County, Oklahoma.
What is the stone name for the Valley of the Gnomes?
The stone's most likely translation is 'Gnome Dale' (Valley of the Gnomes).
What is the Shawnee stone?
Professor Don G Wyckoff, an archaeologist at the University of Oklahoma, examined the Shawnee stone and noted that it is a soft red Permian sandstone, writing that "the inscription is... remarkably fresh and certainly not as worn or weathered as the stone's natural surface. The Survey staff has viewed other exposures of this Permian sandstone which have carved dates as late as 1957 that are more worn and weathered..." Both the Shawnee and Pawnee runestones are products of the modern period. The inscription reads either mldok or midok in standard Elder Futhark lettering.

Overview
Heavener Runestone Park is a 55-acre (220,000 m ) park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization. The Festival held at the park on two weekends a year serves as …
Transfer from state to city park
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department announced in March 2011 that it would close the Heavener Runestone State Park on August 15, 2011, due to budget cuts. However, the City of Heavener agreed to assume ownership and operation of the 55-acre park beginning July 1, 2011. The park is now managed by a group of volunteers that make a 501c3 non profit organization.
Park facilities
Heavener Park offers , picnic tables, outdoor grills, primitive campsites with showers available, amphitheater, playground, hiking, exploring, and educational programs about the Runestone. The park also offers the top portion for private use for special events such as weddings, reunions birthdays etc for a fee.
Assessment of the runestone
Henrik Williams, a professor of Scandinavian languages at Uppsala University has studied the Heavener stone, as well as many other such stones elsewhere in the world. He said that the Heavener stone is an impressive runic memorial, but is unlikely to be as old as some of the local legends claim. He noted that there is no evidence that any Europeans were in this area during the Viking era. He stated that these runes represent the Elder Futhark system that was common duri…
Runestone Festival
The park became the site for the annual Heavener Runestone Festival Fundraiser in 2011. It actually occurs on two weekends each year. Features of the event include Celtic and folk music, swordplay, displays of variety of merchant booths, games, a hike to view the runestone, and overnight camping. Cast and Volunteers are all dressed in costume and many attendees dress up as well. The purpose of the festival, besides pure enjoyment, is fundraising to support the park.
See also
• Oklahoma runestones
External links
• Heavener Runestone Park - local tourism information