Red Canyon’s Best Of The Wild West Wild Mustang+Rafting Adventure

Cody’s best wild adventure puts wild mustangs and whitewater in the same day. You begin in the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve, crossing creeks and rough backcountry terrain while watching for mustangs, birds, and other wildlife. Later, you trade the dry Wyoming badlands for seven miles of rapids on the Shoshone River.

I like the unusual mix of a three-hour safari and guided rafting trip, and I like that you can choose a smaller raft for quicker action or a larger boat for a calmer family setup. The main catch is timing: the activity starts at 1:00 pm but is advertised as lasting about seven hours, so confirm the exact day’s schedule and plan carefully for lunch, clothes, and changing conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Wild mustangs come first: Spend about three hours in the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve, with off-road travel, creek crossings, wildlife viewing, and local stories.
• Seven miles of river action: The rafting portion includes rapids such as Colters Falls and Little Big Drop.
• You choose the raft style: Smaller rafts favor speed and a livelier ride, while larger rafts suit families.
• Lunch is your responsibility: A quick lunch break is allowed before rafting, but food is not included in the price.
• The group is capped at 15: That keeps the outing smaller than a big bus-style excursion.
• Weather and river conditions matter: High water or poor weather can affect age limits, physical requirements, or whether the trip runs.

Two sides of Cody in one long afternoon

Cody is famous for its Old West character, but this outing gives you more than staged Western attractions. It takes you into the open country just outside town, where wild horses still roam, then puts you on the Shoshone River for a wet, active finish.

The first half focuses on the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve. You ride off road, cross creeks, and explore the badlands while looking for wild mustangs and North American migratory wildlife. The guide also shares old mountain man stories and explains the history of the local horse herds.

The second half changes the pace completely. You receive safety instructions and a life vest before setting out on a seven-mile whitewater run. The river includes named rapids such as Colters Falls and Little Big Drop, along with views of the Shoshone River corridor, birds, and other wildlife.

That combination gives you variety, but it also makes this a full day of activity. You are not simply sitting in a vehicle or floating on calm water. Expect time outdoors, some physical effort, wet clothes, and a schedule that depends on weather and river conditions.

McCullough Peaks and the search for wild horses

The three-hour safari is the more unusual part of the outing. Many Cody activities focus on museums, rodeo culture, or scenic drives. This one takes you into the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve, where the main goal is to watch for free-roaming mustangs in their natural setting.

Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, so you should treat the horses as a possibility rather than a promise of close encounters. The preserve also supports a range of migratory wildlife, giving you something to watch for even when the mustangs stay out of sight. Bring patience and keep your eyes moving across the open country.

The route includes off-road travel and creek crossings. That makes the safari more active than a standard sightseeing drive, though the exact road conditions can change. You will be exploring rough terrain outside Cody, not following a polished city tour route.

I also like the storytelling element here. The guide shares mountain man tales and explains how the wild mustang herds fit into the area’s past and present. That context helps turn a horse search into a better sense of place. You are not just checking off a wildlife sighting. You are learning why these animals and this dry Wyoming country matter.

The tradeoff is that the safari depends on nature. A clear view of mustangs, birds, or other wildlife is never certain. If your top priority is a guaranteed animal encounter, this may feel less predictable than a zoo or scheduled show.

The break before the Shoshone River

After the safari, you get time to grab a quick lunch and change clothes before the rafting portion. This pause matters because the tour is active and the river ride can leave you wet.

Lunch is not included in the $119 price. The itinerary refers to a deli-style picnic lunch, but the included and excluded details state that lunch is not provided. Plan to buy or bring food separately, and do not assume the tour price covers a meal.

You should also use the break to switch into clothing suitable for water. The operator supplies slickers, bottled water, and life vests, but the provided details do not list a full clothing package or personal gear. A change of clothes is especially useful after the rafting trip, even if conditions are mild.

The start time is listed as 1:00 pm, while the full outing is described as about seven hours. Since the safari and river portions both take substantial time, I would confirm the precise day’s order and timing before booking other Cody activities. This is not an easy tour to squeeze between several fixed afternoon plans.

Seven miles of Shoshone River rapids

The rafting section is built around a guided run of about seven miles. You receive safety instructions before entering the river, and a life vest is included. That basic preparation is important, especially if someone in your group is nervous about whitewater.

The named rapids include Colters Falls and Little Big Drop. Those names tell you to expect more than a gentle scenic float, though the intensity can change with water levels. One account of the trip described lower water with good rapids still remaining, which is useful context. The ride can be fun even when conditions are not at their biggest or fastest.

You will also have time to look beyond the next wave. The route offers views of the Shoshone River, wildlife, birds, and historic sites. The guide provides information about local nature and history, so the river portion is not only about holding on.

The smaller and larger raft choices give the outing some flexibility. A smaller raft is aimed at faster speeds and a more active ride. A larger raft is a better fit for families and groups that want more room and a less intense setup. The exact feel still depends on river conditions and the guide’s judgment.

Rafting requires participation. You should expect to follow instructions, stay alert, and handle a moderate level of physical activity. The listed minimum age is normally two, but the operator can change age limits during extreme high water. That wide age statement does not mean every young child will be suitable in every condition.

What the guide adds to the day

A good guide matters on an outing that combines remote country and whitewater. The guide handles safety instructions, leads the rafting run, and provides information about the river, wildlife, and local history.

The available feedback points to experienced guiding and clear local knowledge. One participant described a guide who helped make the trip enjoyable even with lower river levels, while another said the guides made the experience comfortable for someone initially worried about rafting.

No guide names are provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. What I can say is that the guide’s role is central. You should expect direction before the river, help with the raft setup, and stories during the day. The small maximum group size of 15 should make it easier to hear instructions and ask questions than on a large commercial outing.

The guide cannot control the river, wildlife, or weather. That is part of the bargain with this kind of trip. You get a more natural experience, but the day may feel different from one departure to the next.

Is $119 a fair price?

At $119 per person, this is not a cheap short rafting ride. It is a full-day combination of two paid activities: a three-hour wild horse safari and a seven-mile rafting trip.

The value is strongest if you want variety and would otherwise book both experiences separately. You get a guide, safety instructions, a life vest, slickers, and bottled water. You also avoid spending a second day arranging a horse-focused excursion and a river trip.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want whitewater. In that case, a rafting-only outing may offer a simpler schedule, although the supplied details do not provide a separate rafting price for comparison. You also need to budget for lunch and the standard 15 to 20 percent service industry gratuity.

The small group limit helps the price feel more reasonable. With no more than 15 people, the outing should have a more personal scale than a large sightseeing operation. Still, keep the cost in perspective: food is extra, and the tour’s value depends on whether you care about both mustangs and rafting.

Who will enjoy this Cody adventure?

I would recommend this for active families, couples, and small groups who want to see several sides of Cody in one outing. It works especially well if you like wildlife, local stories, open country, and a little controlled risk.

Families should pay close attention to river conditions and age suitability. The larger raft is designed as a family-friendly option, but high water can lead to different age or physical requirements. Children must also be comfortable following safety instructions and spending a long day outdoors.

This is a good match for someone who is curious about rafting but slightly nervous. The trip includes a guide, safety briefing, and life vest, and one participant who worried about rafting beforehand found the experience worth repeating. That does not remove the physical demands, but it suggests the outing can ease first-time concerns when conditions are suitable.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone with limited physical fitness, strong discomfort around water, or a strict need for a predictable schedule. The operator lists moderate physical fitness as necessary, and the combined format leaves little room for a quiet, slow-paced afternoon.

Practical details that affect your day

The meeting point is 1119 12th Street in Cody, Wyoming, and the activity ends back there. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

The activity is capped at 15 people, but no specific transportation details are provided. You should plan to reach the meeting point on your own unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Bring a practical attitude. You need a quick meal plan, clothing you can change out of, and enough time for a long outdoor outing. The operator provides bottled water, slickers, safety instructions, and life vests, but the supplied details do not list every personal item you may want for the day.

Should you book the Wild Mustang and Rafting Adventure?

Book it if you want two very different Cody experiences in one day and are comfortable with a schedule shaped by nature. The wild horse preserve adds something unusual, while the seven-mile Shoshone River run supplies the action.

Skip it if you want a short, simple rafting trip, a guaranteed mustang sighting, or a tightly timed afternoon. Also confirm the schedule before paying, since the 1:00 pm start and seven-hour duration require careful planning.

For the right group, the $119 price buys a useful mix of wildlife, Western stories, scenery, and whitewater. It is active, varied, and more memorable than spending the whole day on one type of tour.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 1119 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming 82414. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 1:00 pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You will have time to get a quick lunch and change clothes before the rafting portion.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a life vest, safety instructions, a guide, slickers, and bottled water.

How difficult is the activity?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The activity includes off-road safari travel, creek crossings, and whitewater rafting.

Can young children join?

The normal minimum age is two years old, but the operator may restrict certain ages and physical abilities during extreme high water. Conditions can affect suitability.