Lake Eufaula and Carrie Underwood help put Checotah on the map
Checotah is a small McIntosh County city carved out of acres of farmland, and it is known for two things: being the hometown of country music star Carrie Underwood and its proximity to sprawling Lake Eufaula, a top fishing destination. The city’s access to the water draws many for the summer or just a few days. “We have a lot of weekenders and vacation homes… and quite a few Airbnbs,” says Angella Lee, a real estate agent with Lake Homes Realty who sells throughout eastern Oklahoma. But Checotah also attracts a fair number of full-time residents looking for a quiet, rural community not far from Muskogee and Tulsa .
Mix of home styles with prices starting under $100K
Homes in Checotah are a mix of manufactured, ranch-style, New Traditional and cottages. They typically sit close together on grassy lawns dotted with mature trees. Some houses near the city’s outskirts have an acre or more of land. Driveways are common, and many homes have garages or carports. Residential streets are quiet and narrow. Prices typically range from around $100,000 to around $320,000, with higher-priced homes sitting on multiple acres, spanning more than 2,000 square feet, or both. Land is also available for those who want to build new homes; parcels under an acre range from $18,000 to $32,000. Properties that are between 30 and 180 acres range from around $200,000 to around $460,000.
Students can attend four schools with B or better ratings
Checotah Public Schools rates a B on Niche and serves the city. It offers open enrollment for in-district students and allows out-of-district transfers under state policy; placement depends on available space and district approval rather than a lottery system. Children can attend B-plus-rated Marshall Elementary through second grade, A-rated Checotah Intermediate through fifth grade, B-rated Checotah Middle through eighth grade and B-minus-rated Checotah High until graduation. Checotah High is the alma mater of Carrie Underwood, for whom the school’s fine arts wing is named. The Checotah High football team, The Wildcats, play at Ray Grandstaff Stadium, located near the school on the south side; Elijah Thomas, who played for the Wildcats, was named the Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year for 2024-25.
Local parks and lake access support an active lifestyle
Nearby Lake Eufaula State Park offers swimming, boating and one of the biggest draws to the area: fishing. “We’re top 10 in the nation for several types of fish, and we have a lot of elite fishing tournaments here,” Lee says. Those tournaments include contests sponsored by the National Professional Fishing League and Bassmaster. Within the city, the Checotah Sports Complex hosts Little League games and has a walking trail, splash pad and disc golf course. Bessie Tabor Park has a playground and a picnic pavilion. For indoor recreation and fun, residents head to Fast Lanes Bowling, Arcade & Restaurant.
Historic downtown has local shops, diners and a vintage cinema
Checotah’s historic downtown spans a few blocks of Broadway Street and features local shops, services and restaurants in vintage buildings. One standout restaurant is June’s, a locally owned spot that serves comfort food. More restaurants are scattered throughout the city, like El Jarocho, another local favorite serving traditional Mexican favorites; 1872 Chophouse, a diner serving comfort food; and national chains like Sonic and Pizza Hut. Residents pick up groceries and essentials at Walmart and Dollar General, and everything for the home and farm at Atwoods. The Gentry Cinema has been operating in the city since 1941 and shows a selection of fan-favorite movies several times a month.
Annual events include a 5K, fishing derby and reenactments
The annual Freedom Fest 5K celebrates the Fourth of July with a running race, fishing derby for kids, food trucks and fireworks. In November, residents gather to commemorate the Battle of Honey Springs with a reenactment and self-guided tours through Civil War-era military camps.
Major roadways connect residents to Muskogee, Tulsa and more
The city doesn’t have a public bus line, so residents get around by car. Broadway Street is one of the main thoroughfares and connects to highways leading to Muskogee and Tulsa, about 25 and 70 miles away, respectively. Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 69 also run through the city. The closest full-service hospital is Saint Francis Hospital in Muskogee, about 22 miles away via Highway 69. Tulsa International Airport is around 70 miles away.
Checotah faces high winds and minor flood risks
Checotah is in Tornado Alley and major storms with high winds are common. It also has a minor risk for floods. The state government’s website has resources online to help residents stay prepared before major storms hit.
