Blue Whale
Catoosa, OK
Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier

Catoosa, OK... home to the famous Blue Whale. Supposedly built as a birthday gift, this friendly moby lives solo on an isolated private lake.

No trip along Oklahoma's Route 66 feels complete without stopping to visit the Blue Whale in Catoosa. Built between 1970 and 1972 by Hugh Davis as a surprise anniversary gift for his wife, Zelta, the giant blue whale quickly became one of the Mother Road's most beloved roadside attractions. What started as a family project soon grew into a popular swimming hole where generations of visitors gathered to picnic, slide into the pond, and cool off during Oklahoma's hot summers.

Standing 20 feet tall and stretching 80 feet long, the Blue Whale remains one of the most photographed landmarks on Route 66. Swimming is no longer permitted, but the park is still a wonderful place to stop and enjoy one of America's classic roadside attractions. I visited during the summer just before the new visitor center opened. It took a little getting used to seeing the large new building, which seemed to dominate the whale at first. But in the end, it's a small price to pay if it helps preserve this Route 66 icon for generations to come. 07-07

UPDATE: Following a major restoration, the Blue Whale reopened in 2026 with a new visitor center, expanded walking paths, a playground, and other improvements. More than 50 years after it first delighted travelers, the Blue Whale continues to be one of the signature stops along Oklahoma's stretch of the Mother Road. 06-26