Blue Whale of Catoosa

I was pleasantly surprised by how peaceful and pure this site is. I thought there would be an office and a gift shop, but it's a park with picnic tables and nothing much else. You don't pay to see it. I like that you're on your own. My brother said it's currently under construction, so they might be adding stuff like that, but I liked it in it's previous state. Really nice spot to enjoy the historic sculpture and fish and eat.

Route 66 - Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK Completed in July 1972, the Blue Whale of Catoosa a beloved historic landmark along Route 66 in Oklahoma. The Blue Whale was originally built by Hugh S. Davis, a zoologist. The mammal grew until it reached 20 feet tall and 80 feet long. Since 1972 it has attracted visitors from all over and became a place where people swam, fished, and picnicked. As of Jan 2026, attraction is closed for renovations for a future diner. The City of Catoosa owns and operates the park and broke ground on park renovations in the summer of 2025.

Iconic rt 66 roadside attraction. Currently closed for improvements to the park area so you can’t really access it (I was there 11/8/25). You can still see it pretty clearly if you pull off to the side of the road though.

Cute little roadside attraction. They have a small store and bathrooms. It’s a unique OK experience but unless you are fishing there is not much here. You can’t swim, the water looks pretty gross anyway. But you can feed the catfish and turtles! That was fun.

Amazing stop on my way to tulsa. Such an iconic route 66 location. Had a really nice clean bathroom, and picnic areas. Really enjoyed walking around the small park around the Whale. They are getting ready to build a new visitor center there. Shop was closed at 2 pm for some reason. Only downside while I was there. Please stop and experience this classic Americana.

Cute little place to visit. You can fish, but you can't swim (even though the whale has 2 sides into the water). I loved the tables and all the decorations.

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is exactly the great sort of thing we seem to always find on Route 66. This is a fun place to stop, stretch your legs or rest in the shade. The lake was once used for swimming but now is more for view. They also offer decent restrooms and a shop.

I've loved seeing the blue whale since I was a little kid. It's great to see it restored and maintained. Went back to Oklahoma to visit family and had to stop on the way back to the airport. Unfortunately, the gift shop was delayed opening, and I couldn't wait around, but my parents were able to stop by on the way back to get some pennies smashed for me. I was very excited about that addition, I'm a sticker for a penny squisher machine. Worth a stop to see a gem of 66 and stretch your legs out have a picnic.

Such a fun and unique stop! The Blue Whale is a classic Route 66 roadside attraction that didn't disappoint. We took some great photos with the family and enjoyed walking around the pond. It had a laid-back, nostalgic feel that made the visit really special. A cool piece of Americana--definitely 5 stars!

What a cute little spot along historic Rt. 66. Looks like it once had a play area attached. There is a small gift shop with some Rt. 66 items like pins and key chains. Originally opened in the 1970's it grew over time and eventually became a popular spot for locals to swim. The gift shop attendant said it was $0.25/person to swim. The owners hired life guards and installed picnic tables. The large parking area is dirt. Restrooms are on site. Swimming is no longer available and fishing is 'catch and release'. A sign post by the entrance lists points of interest and how far away they are.

So much fun hitting all the Route 66 kitschy spots. While you can no longer swim in this lake it is so much fun to go take pics and walk around. There was a family with young kids fishing off the side of the tail but they released it and said they wouldn't eat the fish there. There is a mock up drawing of a new visitor center that they are building there but they haven't started and I have no idea when it will be done. Can't wait to go back -3x is a charm!

The Blue whale is one of the attractions along Historic Route 66 near Tulsa. The blue whale is located at Catoosa on northeast of Tulsa. The blue whale is built 1970 anniversary gift from the artist to his wife. I am guessing he wants to show a blue whale in the pond for his wife personal pet. If you are there, the blue whale mid section and tail has ladders. It means the lake was swim able. The blue is very visible to public. Whale is very cute for pictures. There is a picnic table and stool. The stool leg look like whale too. The is a restroom facility at the attractions. Now the blue whale own by city.

We love the Blue Whale on Rt 66! It is a classic roadside attraction that is a must-see right off the highway in Catoosa. The Whale is on a small lake that used to be a swimming hole. Now there is no swimming, but you can fish (catch and release) and walk on the whale to explore and feed the fish and turtles. I believe it is open dawn to dusk. There are outdoor bathrooms and there's a small gift shop. A snow cone food truck is in the parking lot during the day and has great prices. Good photo ops with signs and info along with picnic tables, chalk for coloring the sidewalk, and benches. Big gravel lot for parking. Check it out!

Nice little touristy stop off Route 66. We were in Catoosa for a training and this was close by so we stopped. The whale itself is the main attraction. You can walk in it, climb up it, fish from the deck or enjoy a seat around the lake and view it from afar. There a small lake here with plenty of seating for a place to get out and stretch your legs. We took a couple selfies with the whale, walked through it and enjoyed the view from a far - all in about 5 minutes! There were signs for sno-cones but we didn't partake. This is a quick stop if you want or a long one if you want to enjoy the scenery.

I love visiting with my friends and family there!!!!! it's so much fun!!!!! employee very very nice!!!!!!!!

Built out of love by a man for his wife and family it became a Route 66 landmark starting in 1972 when he finished it . You can no longer swim there but it's a chance to step back on time if you close your eyes and listen real Good you can hear the children's laughter

This whale is super cute and has a sweet creation story. Some reviews say it is not clean but on 9/4/23 it was perfectly clean and welcoming and had some spots to walk, sit and enjoy. The gift store is great, and cashiers were from the town and friendly. There are so few things that are free nowadays, nice to just be able to take in a little piece of someone's art and be on the grass. It's pretty simple folks- it's a blue whale. If that doesn't sound interesting to you, probably shouldn't come. Respect the art

The Blue Whale was really cool to see in person! It's clearly visible from the highway and even better up close in person! It's pretty easy to imagine the whale in its heyday, full of kids and adults diving or sliding off into the water. It is a nicely restored glimpse into the distant past. Definitely worth a stop for some photos! Note: don't use the bathrooms. They don't seem to be kept up at all and since they are 'outdoors' I saw a massive spider right next to the women's toilet that looked like he was going to come after me! Pee elsewhere.

To rate this iconic Route 66 landmark anything less than 5 stars should be a punishable offense! Having traveled the Mother Road many times before, I remember when the Blue Whale was in a sad state of disrepair. It broke my heart back then, so it's no surprise I actually started getting teary-eyed when I visited in October on a road trip! This adorable fellow has been carefully renovated to his original glory, and he's so handsome and photogenic. We spent the night nearby so we could see him during the daylight hours, and it was worth it. We arrived early and took some fantastic pictures since we were the only tourists there. The park is open to the public and free, so you can wander around at your leisure. You can walk into the whale for photo ops, and marvel at his tail that once doubled as a slide into the pond below. I wouldn't recommend swimming here, and the signs forbid it (no fishing allowed either). Be sure to walk across the way and visit the old ark attraction. There's a weird mushroom garden too that looks like some sort of creepy ritual circle, ha ha. Back to the whale: I climbed on and explored for about 30 minutes, taking photos with a huge smile on my face. And here's the best part -- this dapper blue fellow IS EVEN WEARING A BASEBALL CAP! There are some cute picnic tables with little whale details (it was far too cold and rainy for a picnic that morning or I would've totally sat there), and a nifty directional sign with mile markers to other Route 66 landmarks. Don't forget to drop some cash into the donation bucket before you leave. We put our last $20 in, but visiting this iconic Oklahoma landmark truly was priceless to me.

One of Route 66 "The Mother Road"'s top 10 landmarks lies here in Catoosa, east of Tulsa. There's a lot of history to this, as this dates back to 1972, ironically when the Mother Road was losing its status as a main highway because of Interstate construction. In nearly two decades (up until 1988), this was a swimming hole for locals and tourists. The whale has been beautifully restored over the years, thanks to tireless volunteer work. The slides are still visible on the whale, and of course no one is recommended to slide down them. You can climb up the stairs into the whale's head or tail, but be strongly advised - do it at your own risk. The ladders are very narrow. It's all good, as the novelty sort of wears off after 15 minutes. People apparently are allowed to fish in the lake, so don't be surprised to see some people there. Side note: the bathrooms are very interesting. Also, there apparently is/was a gift shop or a place where an attendant is usually at - but there was nobody there and the small building was locked when I was there. I read somewhere that souvenirs are sold there. I hope they didn't have Blue Whale shot glasses, because that's what I collect! Overall, this Route 66 icon is recommended. Some may be shaking their heads at this, but any 66-er knows how much this place means to the Mother Road community.

Such a fun little travel stop with gift shop during our adventure road trip. This was an old amusement water park that is now a roadside stop. You can bring leashed pets, as long as you clean up after them. Stop to use the restroom, take some pictures, and grab a small gift from the on-site shop.

This unique place is just a one time must. I had been hearing about the whale for awhile now. On a route 66 drive it's a fun free stop. Whale seemed to have been repainted recently. Surroundings need some love! Wish tables and grounds were cleaner. Very nice lady working the gift shop with really low ceilings! She will stamp your route 66 booklet. Bathrooms are provided. No swimming but a man was fishing. I can now mark it off my bucket list! Been there, done that!

We stopped to see the blue whale on the way back home from Texas. It was worth stopping. They were decorating it for Christmas.

Get your kicks on Rt 66. Driving around in the pandemic with nothing to do? Go to the Blue Whale. Just a 10 minute ride from Tulsa. Fun for the whole family. Maybe 19 minutes is all you need to be there. Don't ask why... ask Why not b

Great place to hang out ! Nice amenities . And they keep the place clean, and well monitored.

Childhood memories right there . We used to drive over here and swim way way back when I was a kid. Now u can't swim or climb allover the whale . I haven't seen this is probably 20 years. Incredible memories with my grandmother here

A must-see in the Tulsa Area. The history about The Blue Whale is amazing. this place is very unique and well worth your drive. Additionally, there are some great resturants nearby to enjoy while there!

Ahh, the Blue Whale! July 26, took my visiting sister and brother-in-law to see the famous Blue Whale - cannot miss point-of-interest on Route 66. They were tickled to learn of it and made sure they got some photographs. Not crowded and easy access.

Fun place to stretch your legs and let the little one run off some energy. Pretty well-maintained for what it is, and cute to boot.

Great stop on Route 66! I remember coming here as a young child and swimming! Very nostalgic to be here. They are cleaning up all the trees and brush around the pond so you can walk all around. The pond is catch and release, but I did not see anyone catching fish! And they have a shaved ice vendor on site now, boy that was refreshing

Great place to visit with the kids, very good gift shop and friendly staff. Go when there is an event there for the best time.

This place was cool but the people hanging around made me nervous. I got out took a picture and left. Totally didn't feel comfortable walking around by myself. Definitely a lot of vandalism. I wouldn't go back. But I guess if you are driving through, it's worth a min or two to stretch the legs.

For many years I have seen post cards of The Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK, so when we were in the area this summer, I just HAD to stop in. What a treat! The love story of the man who built The Blue Whale for his wife's 30 wedding anniversary is adorable. The additional artwork of The Ark, the food carts and the Mushrooms, at the Frog Pond made from recycled WWII bomber bubbles are all AMAZING stories of an era gone by. The woman who chatted with us in the kiosk was as friendly and informative as any high end tour guide. This stop is definitely worth the cost of admission...FREE!

Cool little Route 66 attraction. Spend a few or many minutes here. Kids and adults will get a kick out of this when deciding to make a pit stop. There are restrooms and places to sit and relax when visiting here

A cute little attraction in Oklahoma that is meant for any fans of Finding Nemo or Dory or JAWS. Yea, literally anyone that enjoys water will find this giant blue whale somewhat amusing as an attraction. We didn't originally intend to stop here, but once my friend mentioned the fact that there was a giant blue whale sitting in a pond, I knew it was a done deal. Apparently, this used to be part of a water park as evident by the mini water slides coming out of the whale's body. You can walk into the whale, explore the fragility of the beast, and climb all over itself. Aside from the whale, there's areas to picnic and relax under some nice shade to enjoy the summer heat. Great times can be had here at the blue whale that make it a great experience for all family members.

Thanks This was legendary and original History for the American Pickers. There's also a great Pizza shop in a Strip Mall.

Great little stop on Route 66. Unfortunately, it was so cold, we took a few pictures, looked around for a couple of seconds, then jumped back into the car. The gift shop was closed (thank goodness!!!!! burrrrrr!) Definitely a cool free attraction on a historic road. Not sure I'd drive out of my way to see it though.

We visited the whale early this morning (it was still dark) and the whale was all lit up. Unfortunately the gift store was closed which made us a little BLUE, oh WHALE. We still took pictures and thought it was super neat. Well worth the stop. Our only commentary about the experience is that the welcome sign should say "whale-come"

This is a nice area. There are many landmark's along highway 66. I find this area to be peaceful, and quiet. It's a good place to spend time outdoors with family, and friends.https://support.google.com/business/thread/200044809?hl=en

We really enjoyed our stop here. There is a small gift shop/information building and we chatted with the woman working there who had actually spent time swimming there herself as a child and got lots of details. Highly recommend stopping in!

Route 66 stop! So I have been hearing about this blue whale for a while and even was delighted by getting a glimpse of it on road trips. It is just a stunning random blue whale in a pond in the middle of nowhere. The history is cute. Actually I am really happy that I came. The construction and layout is pretty cool, but definitely needs some work. You can actually climb around on the whale, though many of the boards are definitely not safe. But!! I heard they're going to be renovating it soon so think. If I had a friend that wanted to go, I would go with them, but if it was just me I might not go again. Our 3 and 4 year olds absolutely loved it and ran and climbed all over it. You cannot swim in the pond but I really don't think you should anyway for your health. They have tables, a sandy area, and restrooms. Again I am happy we went because that is a very unique feature, but again not something I would want to visit all the time or a second time. It is free. I hear the family is nice. No one is there monitoring. Relaxed feel.

Stagnant water park occupied by a large, metal mammal. Not sure bout this swimming hole being used to cool off but it sure is a fun place to stretch your legs as you drive across Oklahoma. Imagine playing in the pond and rubbing up against rusted steal. A whale the size of a Herman Melville masterpiece comes with slides, a look out and an inside hangout, Jonah would feel completely at home in. Not open when we swung through, there are restrooms and a snack shack to fill you up and let you out as you spend the afternoon on the trails around the stock pond and listen to the wind blow through the willows. A a curious see on a road trip, it's worth the 5 minute detour off 44.

Coolest place on RT.66 in Oklahoma! The gift shop is awesome too. They have really cool shirts at great prices, local blue whale art and photography for sale. Great park for all ages!

Really neat little roadside attraction to check out. There's a shack with a lot of information about the whale. Bathrooms were locked when we came by but it was also during spring break. There are some MASSIVE fish out in that pond. It's honestly really sad that the bridge has fallen apart. I don't recommend climbing to the top parts of the whale, but I'm also extra cautious lol. It doesn't say it on the location but there once was a Nature's ARK next to the Whale. All of the animal cages are still up and it's an equal mixture of fascinating and creepy. I don't recommend walking into the ARK (there's signs as well warning you not to). There's also some really cool mushrooms made with parts of airplanes. The website has much more information.

I discovered this place on Yelp a few years ago and ever since I did my sixth grade animal report on whales I've been obsessed with whales. I will read any book about them, I will see any documentary about them, they just absolutely fascinate me so I knew that I needed to come here. But over the years since I had heard of it I had forgotten about it and then when I was on a road trip to Tulsa my friend who was driving suddenly yelled out 'Look at that whale over there!' When I glanced over I remembered that I had heard about this so I was super duper excited and of course we stopped to experience it and take lots of pictures. It's unlike anything you've ever seen in your life- it's literally a gigantic carved whale in a pond that used to be a public pool but now it's just a fun attraction to visit on route 66 and a sweet window into the past. There's a nice little gift shop on site also with all kinds of blue whale knickknacks and information about its history and other sites you can visit on Route 66. Don't miss it!!!

It's right off the highway. Small place to take a brake and relax. Not worth going out of the way for it..

TOP 10 STOP OF ROUTE 66! This is by far my favorite stop along the ENTIRE stretch of Route 66. There's not much more to say than it's just fun and simple (as simple as a giant blue whale can be). The Whale is sturdy and easy to get around. Little picnic area is shaded with a little clean sand area for kids to play. The gift shop has reasonable hours and good product selection. There are also bathrooms, however I think they are being renovated at the time of this review. This is a great stop and I hope it never "goes under!" -It's August 2019- this whale is not a dump, it's doing just fine.

If you are in search of kitschy Route 66 landmarks, add this to your list. It is right along the highway and you really can't miss it. It was originally built as an anniversary gift and then turned into a water park. The water park has been closed for nearly 30 years and swimming is no longer allowed (even if it was I wouldn't go in the water!). There is a ladder so you can climb to the top of the whale. It is open 8am until dark and is free. We arrived about 30 minutes before sunset so it had an air of being abandoned. I read that after the owners died that the whale fell into disrepair but that local residents have refurbished it and maintain it (thank you!) There is a kiosk that was closed when we were there; not sure what they offer. There are also picnic tables with whale benches- very cute. Worth a stop if you are looking to "get your kicks on Route 66".

Fun and free place to stretch your legs, use the restroom and explore along Route 66!

If you are looking for a fun place to stop on Route 66, don't forget to check out the Blue Whale! It's a great spot for photos, they do have a gift shop, there is a sand spot for kids to play, picnic tables, and of course you can explore the Blue Whale! Fishing is allowed but do not keep anything that is caught. Plus if you get a chance look up the story behind the Blue Whale & why is was made. It's kind of a sweet love story right on Route 66.

For iconic look I gave this stop a 5 but for functionality during winter months it is a 3 simply because there isn't anything actively going on. It is a great photo opportunity FREE on Route 66 and the story behind the big whale is pretty cool. I just wish they had more of the info on hand when the souvenir shop isn't open but the gates are.

And look at his little hat! Its big. It's blue. It's very Route 66. Stop by for a while and talk to the 'whale' attendant. There's a lot to this historical spot and she'll tell you all about it. I mean. What a token of love. Every lady repeat ever me: "Honey, please build me a whimsical dock for me and the kiddos." Every husband is now in deep (blue) trouble. What a pity you can't swim here any more. But don't let that stop you.

This was at the tail end of a very long day of driving across Texas and Oklahoma, but I'm glad we made the stop! There is a turn for the parking lot, but we missed it and had to make a u-turn further up the road. It really is just a big blue whale sculpture at the edge of a pond, but you can walk inside and up to the tail. There's a cute sign leading to the area with two whales kissing. And there are a few picnic tables if you want to bring a bite to eat. There's also a couple of buildings that looked like they sold souvenirs and such, but those weren't open so late in the evening. A nifty photo op!

It's Kitschy.. and if you're on the whole driving Rte 66 kick, then you probably enjoy kitschy and nostalgic things. The Blue Whale is a must stop. Sure it's only a 5-10 minute attraction at most, but while we stayed in Joplin, MO the previous night and saw a picture of the mighty behemoth... we decided.. we must go see the Blue Whale. We made it here on a very cold, winter morning with snow on the ground and wind chills well below freezing. The Whale for most part seemed to be in fair shape. The only thing that had me a little apprehensive was some of the boardwalk out towards the tail section. Some of it looked like it didn't have much give left to it. If you're feeling rather adventurous, then climb up the rusty ladder and pop your head out one of the upper whale nostrils.. It makes for an amusing photo. It was all worth the almost frost bitten hands. I could totally see this being 'The Shit' back in it's hay-day. Locals probably roll their eyes, but I don't think people really understand how something so hoakey could bring someone a little happiness. Parts of the old Rte 66 are long gone, but at least this stands mighty many years after it's prime. Thanks for preserving this, Catoosa!

Cute Route 66 stop for photos and picnic area if you want to spend some time here. Toilets on site and lovely gift shop with very friendly volunteer staffing it. Worth a stop if you're touring Route 66.

I visited today with hubby. It's a fun attraction off the highway in Catoosa, OK. It's free and you can walk through the whale and take photos. If you stand in the middle of the whale, you have a view of the land around. The water is stagnant and there is not a lot to see, but it's a fun place to stop.

I'm probably giving it one to many stars, but it is a landmark on 66. It got a fresh coat of paint and was cleaned up a bit, but it could be so much more. The "Trading Post" that used to be a few miles away is now gone and I can't believe the owners of the whale and the land surrounding it haven't capitalized on the fact the a lot of people stop here every single day just to look at the whale. Believe me when I say more people would stop if there was a shop or restaurant. What a perfect location for a "Pop's" like they built close to OKC on 66. It's unique, but could be so much more.