Overview
Catoosa is a city in Green Country, Oklahoma, on historic Route 66. It had a population of about 7,000 in 2018. It is home to a large statue of a blue whale, Oklahoma's largest casino, and a huge Native American art market.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Catoosa
Blue Whale
Large blue whale in a swimming hole as novelty architecture. Picnic area.
Tulsa Port of Catoosa
Maritime Education Center with videos and a small artefact collection describing the Port’s history and economic impact on Oklahoma. The furthest inland, ice-free international seaport in America serves as head of naviga…
D W Correll Museum
Collection of minerals and bottles and automobiles.
Catoosa Historical Museum
Caboose and vintage recreated buildings holding displays on past.
Hard Rock Casino and Resort
Billed as Oklahoma's largest casino, this Neo-Art-Deco-styled monolith is always under construction.
Redbud Valley Nature Preserve
Nature Conservancy center, with hiking and natural habitat. Rock cliffs and caves make for interesting views.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Tulsa)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SWO Stillwater Regional Airport, Stillwater — 74 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $21–$25 a night (typical $25), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$100, comfortable ~$190.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Blue Whale, D W Correll Museum
- Afternoon Hard Rock Casino and Resort, Cherokee Art Market
Day 2
- Morning Tulsa Port of Catoosa, Redbud Valley Nature Preserve
- Afternoon Catoosa Historical Museum, Catoosa LibertyFest
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
It is home to the Port of Catoosa, part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas Navigation System (MCKARNS) which connects Northeast Oklahoma to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
History
The Cherokee Nation controlled the region during the 19th century. After the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad laid tracks in the early 1880s, the community became a cow town, with the establishment of William Halsell's Bird Creek Ranch.
The name of the city is derived from the Cherokee language, phonetically pronounced "Ga-du-si" or "Ga-tu-si". Various interpretations of this word exist, including: "between two hills", "on the hill", "into the hills", and possibly signifying a prominent hill or place thereon.
Catoosa was home to Bluford "Blue" Duck, the infamous outlaw depicted in Lonesome Dove. He is buried in Dick Duck Cemetery at the intersection of 193rd and Pine street.
See
See Tulsa Port of Catoosa
Maritime Education Center with videos and a small artefact collection describing the Port’s history and economic impact on Oklahoma. The furthest inland, ice-free international seaport in America serves as head of navigation for the 445-mile McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which leads to the Mississippi River. A self-guided driving tour of the port is permitted (M-F 8AM-4:30PM) but you must remain in your vehicle.
Do
Events
Sleep
- Hard Rock Casino
Go next
- Coal mining history and more at the Historical Society in Broken Arrow.
- Tulsa for its oil barons, history and the architecture they left behind.
- Claremore is the historic hometown of Will Rogers and home to numerous museums.
Nearby
Owasso
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Broken Arrow
City / town · 23 listings · 10 mi away
Tulsa
City / town · 104 listings · 11 mi away
Claremore
City / town · 9 listings · 12 mi away
Bixby
City / town · 3 listings · 17 mi away
Coweta
City / town · 17 mi away
Jenks
City / town · 5 listings · 17 mi away
Sand Springs
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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