Oklahoma historian Muriel H. Wright wrote that cavanol is a corruption of the French word caverneux, meaning "cavernous.

During the late 1700s, French fur trappers established a camp at the base of Cavanal and named it Poteau, for "Post".

[8] Thomas Nuttall studied plant life here in 1819, and learned about other natural wonders from local French trappers and Indians who were living here.

In the late 1800s, Walter Beard established a health resort at the summit of Cavanal Hill.

A 4.5 miles (7.2 km) blacktopped road leads to the summit where visitors can enjoy picturesque views of the Poteau River Valley.