Where is Poteau, Oklahoma, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Poteau Located? - Poteau is a city located in the Le Flore County of Oklahoma, United States. Poteau lies between 40.7812093 Degrees North latitudes and 73.2462273 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Poteau, Oklahoma

Where is Poteau, Oklahoma

Poteau Map, Oklahoma, USA

Where is Poteau?: The Google Map showing the location of Poteau in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Where is Poteau Located?

Poteau is a city located in the Le Flore County of Oklahoma, United States. Poteau lies between 40.7812093 Degrees North latitudes and 73.2462273 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Poteau city is 8807 people and the city has a total area of 30.15 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Poteau, Oklahoma Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPoteau
CountyLe Flore County
StateOklahoma
State CapitalOklahoma City
US RegionSouthern United States (West South Central Region)
Latitude35.0537° N
Longitude94.6313° W
Elevation512 ft (156 m)
Land Area31.16 sq mi
Water Area0.09 sq mi
Total Area31.25 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)8,520
Population DensityApproximately 273 people per sq mi
ZIP Code74953
Area Code918
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code40-59800
Congressional DistrictOklahoma's 2nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Poteau

CategoryDetails
Airport NameFort Smith Regional Airport
IATA CodeFSM
PortInland river and regional transportation access
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 59, U.S. Route 271, Oklahoma State Highway 112
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak service in Fort Smith, Arkansas region
Local Bus/Transit ServiceLocal and regional transportation services
  • U.S. Route 59 – Major north–south highway connecting Poteau with Fort Smith and southeastern Oklahoma.
  • U.S. Route 271 – Regional route connecting Poteau with surrounding communities and eastern Oklahoma.
  • Oklahoma State Highway 112 – Local highway providing access to nearby recreation areas.

Top Places to Visit in Poteau, Oklahoma

Landmark NameType
Talimena Scenic DriveScenic Highway
Wister Lake State ParkState Park
Heavener Runestone State ParkHistoric Park
LeFlore County MuseumHistory Museum
Lake WisterRecreation Area
Choctaw Casino & Resort – PocolaEntertainment Venue
Twyman ParkCommunity Park
Wister Wildlife Management AreaWildlife Area
Ouachita National ForestNational Forest
Robert S. Kerr ReservoirOutdoor Recreation Area

Driving Distances from Poteau, Oklahoma to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Fort SmithArkansas2535 minutes
HeavenerOklahoma2025 minutes
WisterOklahoma1520 minutes
McAlesterOklahoma951 hour 40 minutes
FayettevilleArkansas1202 hours
TulsaOklahoma1502 hours 30 minutes
Oklahoma CityOklahoma1803 hours
Little RockArkansas1502 hours 30 minutes
DallasTexas1903 hours
MemphisTennessee2604 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Poteau, Oklahoma

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Carl Albert State CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, career programs, and transfer education
University of Arkansas–Fort SmithPublicUniversityBusiness, health sciences, applied sciences, and technology
Eastern Oklahoma State CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAgriculture, technical programs, and workforce training
University of ArkansasPublicUniversityResearch, engineering, business, and sciences
Oklahoma State UniversityPublicUniversityAgriculture, engineering, research, and education
Poteau Public SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Poteau, Oklahoma

Poteau River, Wister Lake, Cedar Lake, Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, and nearby streams and waterways of the Ouachita Mountains region.

Golf Courses Near Poteau

Poteau Golf Course, Choctaw Country Club, Fort Smith Golf Club, Hardscrabble Country Club, and Eagle Crest Golf Course.

Poteau, Oklahoma — Key Historical Facts

  • Poteau developed as a settlement along the Poteau River and became an important trading community in southeastern Oklahoma.
  • The city name comes from the French word "poteau," meaning "post," referring to early French exploration in the region.
  • The arrival of railroads in the late nineteenth century helped Poteau grow as a commercial and agricultural center.
  • Poteau is located near the Ouachita Mountains and has long been connected with timber, farming, and regional trade.
  • Today, Poteau is known for its outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, historic sites, and location near the Oklahoma–Arkansas border.

References

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