The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a free roadside attraction and city park on Historic Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, featuring a hand-built concrete whale sculpture beside a spring-fed pond. This guide covers opening hours, admission, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The guide was last checked in July 2026, when a brand-new visitor centre with gift shop, concession stand, and event space opened on 30 May 2026, and a new neon sign was lit for the first time on 11 May 2026 — changes entirely absent from guides written before mid-2026.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Mon–Wed 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Thu 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Fri–Sat 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sun 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Ticket prices | Free admission. |
| Address | 2600 US Route 66, Catoosa, OK 74015. |
| Nearest transport / parking | Car only. Free parking on site. No public transport. |
| Typical time needed | 20–45 minutes. |
Blue Whale of Catoosa opening hours
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is open Monday to Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
These hours reflect the schedule posted on the official City of Catoosa website. The extended Thursday hours were added after the 2026 renovation. Hours may vary on public holidays, so checking the official site before visiting is advisable.
Blue Whale of Catoosa ticket prices
Admission to the Blue Whale of Catoosa is free. There are no entry fees for the park, the whale itself, or the surrounding grounds.
The new visitor centre, opened 30 May 2026, includes a gift shop and a concession stand. Opening hours and admission information were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026. No city pass or travel card scheme covers the site, since admission is free for all visitors. Guided group tours are available; groups should contact the park in advance, and advance reservations are required for group bookings and bus or motorcoach visits.
How to get to the Blue Whale of Catoosa
The Blue Whale stands directly on US Route 66, about 2600 US Route 66, on the east side of Catoosa, roughly 15 miles northeast of central Tulsa. The nearest major road junction is Cherokee Street in Catoosa town centre.
The site is reachable only by car. From Tulsa, take US-412 East or the Cimarron Turnpike (OK-11) east to Catoosa and follow Route 66 signs east through town.
Parking at the Blue Whale of Catoosa
Free parking is available on site. The car park was expanded as part of the 2026 renovation and can accommodate motor coaches and tour buses.
Visitors arriving by motorcoach should make advance group reservations by contacting the park directly.
How long to spend at the Blue Whale of Catoosa
Most visitors spend 20 to 45 minutes at the site, which is enough time to walk around the pond, explore the whale structure, and visit the new visitor centre. Groups and those using the picnic areas or fishing the pond may stay longer.
The site is compact and covers the whale, the spring-fed pond, and the new visitor facilities.
Accessibility at the Blue Whale of Catoosa
The 2026 renovation included ADA-compliant pathways and accessible facilities throughout the site. The new visitor centre was built to accessibility standards, and the pond-side grounds are generally flat.
Visitors with specific accessibility queries can contact the park by email at [email protected] or by phone at 918-857-0676.
Inside the Blue Whale of Catoosa: what to see
The whale itself is 20 feet tall and 80 feet long, hand-built in two years from steel rebar and approximately 126 sacks of cement by zoologist Hugh S. Davis. Davis completed it in 1972 as an anniversary gift for his wife Zelta. Visitors can climb on the whale, walk its length, and look out through the windows in its sides.
Swimming in the pond is no longer permitted, but catch-and-release fishing and picnicking are welcome. The pond’s resident turtles are a popular draw, particularly for younger visitors.
The new visitor centre, opened 30 May 2026, holds historical exhibits about Route 66 and the Blue Whale’s story, a gift shop, a concession stand, and an event and meeting room. The site also features a new neon sign, first lit on 11 May 2026. Restroom facilities are available on site.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Weekday mornings are the quietest; weekends draw more Route 66 road-trippers and tour groups. |
| Crowds | Five or more tour buses can arrive on busy days, particularly during Route 66 centennial events in 2026. |
| Layout | The whale, pond, and visitor centre are all within easy walking distance of each other. |
| Entry process | No ticket or reservation is required for individual visitors; just arrive and explore. |
| On-site logistics | The gift shop and concession are inside the new visitor centre; fishing requires your own tackle. |
Frequently asked questions about the Blue Whale of Catoosa
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Blue Whale of Catoosa free? | Yes, admission is completely free. |
| Can you still swim at the Blue Whale of Catoosa? | No, swimming in the pond has not been permitted since 1988. |
| Is the Blue Whale of Catoosa suitable for children? | Yes, children can climb the whale, feed the turtles, and enjoy the surrounding park. |
| Is the Blue Whale of Catoosa open on Sundays? | Yes, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Is there a gift shop at the Blue Whale of Catoosa? | Yes, a new expanded gift shop opened in the visitor centre on 30 May 2026. |
Things to do near the Blue Whale of Catoosa
- D.W. Correll Museum, Catoosa: a local history museum about 2 miles away that also stocked Blue Whale souvenirs during the 2025–2026 renovation.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa: a large resort casino, about 7 miles west.
- Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa: an art and history museum focusing on the American West, about 20 miles west.
- Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa: a fine art museum in a villa with gardens, about 20 miles west.
- Tulsa Route 66 signs and murals: various Route 66 heritage stops throughout Tulsa, about 15–20 miles west.
What to visit tomorrow
- Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park (Foyil, OK): a roadside folk-art site featuring the world’s largest totem pole, about 35 miles northeast.
- Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum (Pawnee, OK): the restored home and grounds of Wild West showman Pawnee Bill, about 65 miles northwest.
- Round Barn, Arcadia (Arcadia, OK): a rare 1898 round barn, a Route 66 landmark east of Oklahoma City, about 105 miles southwest.
- National Route 66 Museum (Elk City, OK): a museum complex dedicated to Route 66 history, about 170 miles west.
- Totem Pole Park (Claremore, OK): the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and related Route 66 landmarks in Rogers County, about 25 miles northeast.
More Oklahoma travel
Other Oklahoma travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- The Tulsa Air and Space Museum: A guide for first-time visitors.
- What to expect at Gathering Place in Tulsa.
- Planning a visit to Tulsa Zoo.
- The best stops on the Tulsa to Albuquerque drive.
