Heavener Runestone Park
4.7(1.1K)google
4.5(90)yelp
Folk CultureArchaeologyQuirky
Overview
Heavener Runestone Park (pronounced ) is a 55-acre (220,000 m2) park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma 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 serves as a fundraiser for operating and maintaining the park.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeThis mountain park centered on a mysterious ancient Viking runestone carving is best visited between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM in spring or fall. Angled afternoon sun rays pierce the deep, narrow ravine canopy, perfectly highlighting the historic weathered Norse characters etched into the giant slab.
Getting TherePerched atop the summit of Panorama Mountain east of Heavener. Driving is required and involves steep, winding mountain tarmac climbs: from US-59, veer onto East 1st St in town and ascend the ridge for 2.5 miles following the cliffside prompts straight to the scenic mountaintop visitor lot.
Travel Tips
- Featuring a massive sloped sandstone slab engraved with highly controversial Norse runes, this rugged park sits deep in the Ouachita foothills; the short 0.2-mile trail to the ravine floor is unpaved, extremely steep, and made of slick native shale, requiring deep-lug hiking boots.
- Access requires navigating the winding, narrow ascent of Runestone Road to the bluff-top lot; the route lacks physical medians and completely bars motorhomes or trailers over 24 feet due to absolute zero turning radiuses at the summit pavilion.
- The dense ravine functions as a total cellular dead zone with zero coverage across major carriers; download all topography data offline before departure, and apply deep permethrin/DEET safeguards as poison ivy and native deer ticks are hyper-prevalent off the marked wooden overlooks.
Reviews
Positive
- A mysterious park perched atop a cliff ridge. The star attraction is a massive historic boulder carved with ancient Viking runes; historical lore is supreme.
- Paths down to the ravine stone feature excellent non-slip accessible metal boardwalks and high safety guardrails. Signage offers rich text plaques.
- The locally managed on-site staff are energetic and warm, handing out free historical brochures. The scenic overlook decks are orderly and safe.
- The entire heritage park charges zero entry fees and zero parking fees! Viewing such a unique historical mystery on zero dollars is pure value.
Heads up
- Aside from the single glass-shielded rune stone and the cliff overlook, physical scale is tiny; casual tourists finish browsing the site in 25 minutes.
- Heading down into the ravine involves a very steep, twisting incline. Despite guardrails, climbing back up is physically exhausting for seniors.
- Nestled deep in the mountains near the Arkansas border; rural mountain access is rugged. Unreachable without a long-distance road trip.
- The hilltop lawns and gift kiosk operate on narrow erratic hours; no hot food is sold on-site, and heavy mountain wind gusts make it freezing on gusty days.