The Cody Two-Step Wild Mustangs And Half Day Rafting Trip W/Lunch

The best thing about this Cody outing is its unusual double feature: white-water rafting on the Shoshone River in the morning, followed by a real wild Mustang Safari later in the day. You get fast water, cold spray, a picnic beside the river, and a very different wildlife search without arranging two separate activities.

I like the practical all-in-one setup, with guides, life vests, slickers, bottled water, drinks, and lunch included. I also like the family-friendly feel. One guide is described as funny and clear with directions, and the rafting section works for a wide age range. The main caution is timing: the information gives a 7:00 AM start time, while the detailed schedule says rafting runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the Mustang Safari begins at 4:30 PM. Confirm the meeting time before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Cody-area activities in one day: Raft the Shoshone River, then search for wild mustangs.
• A riverside picnic breaks up the rafting: Lunch, drinks, and bottled water are included.
• You will get wet: Bring water shoes and clothes that can handle cold water.
• A small group keeps the outing manageable: The maximum is 15 people.
• The activities can be split across two days: That helps if eight hours of outdoor activity feels like too much.
• Weather and river conditions matter: Poor weather or low booking numbers can lead to a rescheduled date or refund.

Morning on the Shoshone River

The rafting portion is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, although the booking details also list a 7:00 AM start time. That mismatch is important enough to resolve before your outing. The stated meeting point is 1119 12th Street in Cody, Wyoming, and the activity returns there at the end.

Once on the Shoshone River, you’ll paddle through several sections of rapids with a guide directing the raft. This is not a quiet float. The description promises miles of moving water, and the practical advice is clear: expect to get wet, and expect the water to feel cold.

Your guide handles safety instructions and helps keep the raft on course. One account describes a guide who gave good directions and kept the mood light, which is useful on a first rafting trip. Clear instructions matter more than fancy talk when the raft is approaching a rapid.

The scenery is part of the reward. You see Cody from the river rather than from a road or sidewalk, with the Shoshone River providing a fresh angle on the area. The rafting also includes historical interest along this stretch of water, although the available details do not specify the exact sites or stories you’ll hear.

This is a family-friendly trip, and the experience has suited both adults in their thirties and retired participants. Still, family-friendly does not mean dry or gentle at every moment. The current, rapids, and cold water require you to follow directions and feel comfortable with an active outdoor activity.

What to wear for cold, wet rafting

The most useful advice is simple: wear water shoes and clothing that can get wet. Do not treat this as a ride where you might remain dry. You should expect spray and possibly a thorough soaking.

Slickers are included, which gives you some protection from wind and water. They are not a substitute for suitable footwear or quick-drying clothing. Water shoes are especially sensible because they provide a secure way to move around near the river and avoid relying on ordinary sandals or loose footwear.

Bring only what you need on the water. The tour includes beverages and bottled water, so you do not need to plan around carrying all your drinks. Since the outing lasts much of the day, sun protection and any personal necessities remain your responsibility, but the supplied details do not specify additional equipment.

You should also plan for a temperature change after rafting. Wet clothing and cold river water can make the lunch stop feel less comfortable if you have nothing dry to change into. The supplied information does not promise changing facilities, so ask the provider what is practical before departure.

A riverside picnic after the rapids

Lunch comes after the morning rafting, beside the river. This is more than a convenient meal stop. It gives you time to warm up, eat, and enjoy the setting without having to rush straight from the final rapid into the next activity.

The picnic lunch is included in the $189 price, along with drinks and bottled water. That helps the value, since you are paying for a full morning on the river and an afternoon wildlife outing rather than only transportation or access.

The exact menu is not provided, so contact Cody Wyoming Adventures if food allergies, dietary needs, or strong preferences affect your booking. The information calls it a tasty picnic lunch, but it does not list ingredients or meal choices.

After lunch, you have a gap before the Mustang Safari. The day’s schedule allows time to walk around downtown Cody before meeting for the 4:30 PM wildlife portion. That break is useful. Eight hours of continuous activity would be tiring, especially after getting wet in the morning, so a chance to dry off and reset improves the day.

The afternoon wild Mustang Safari

The second half begins at 4:30 PM and runs until about 7:00 PM. It is described as a real wild Mustang Safari, not a visit to a managed horse attraction. The point is to search for free-roaming mustangs in their natural setting.

That distinction matters. Wildlife viewing never comes with a guaranteed sighting, and the material provided does not promise that you will see a particular number of horses. You should approach this part as a search, with the reward coming from the setting and the possibility of seeing wild animals rather than from a fixed display.

The safari gives the day a useful change of pace. In the morning, you are part of the action, paddling and reacting to the river. In the late afternoon, you are watching and looking carefully. The contrast is one of the strongest reasons to choose this combined experience.

The available information does not name a specific safari route, vehicle, or viewing distance. Ask about those details if they matter to you, especially if you want to know how much time is spent moving between locations or what happens if mustangs are not found.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to keep the activity more organized than a large coach outing.

For rafting, a group limit helps the guide give directions and keep track of the people in the boat. It also makes lunch and the meeting process easier to manage. For the Mustang Safari, a smaller group can make the search feel less crowded, though the experience still depends on the provider’s transport and viewing arrangements.

You should not assume that the same guide handles every part of the day. The material confirms guides are included, but it does not identify them by name or explain how staffing is divided between rafting and the safari.

Is $189 a fair price?

At $189 per person, this is not a bargain activity in the narrow sense. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: a half-day white-water rafting trip, a riverside lunch, the Mustang Safari, guides, drinks, bottled water, slickers, and rafting equipment including life vests.

You are also buying convenience. Instead of booking river rafting and a separate wildlife outing, you arrange both through one provider. That saves planning time and creates a full Cody day with a clear structure.

The value is strongest if you want both activities. If you only want rafting, the combined price may feel high because part of the cost covers the afternoon safari. If you are unsure about spending most of a day outdoors, splitting the activities across two days may make the purchase feel more worthwhile and less exhausting.

A 15 to 20 percent service gratuity is not included. Plan for that additional cost if you intend to tip the guides, as is standard in the service industry. The final amount will therefore be higher than the listed price.

What the experience does well, and where it falls short

The strongest part is the variety. Few ordinary day tours combine a cold, active river trip with a wild-horse search. You get a physical morning, a lunch pause, free time in downtown Cody, and a quieter afternoon.

The rafting guide is another positive. Clear directions and a playful manner can make a first river trip far less intimidating. The experience has also been suitable for different age groups, which supports its family-friendly description.

The weaknesses are mostly practical. The 7:00 AM start time conflicts with the 9:00 AM rafting schedule, and the available information does not explain the difference. The owner’s communication has also received criticism for being unorganized and unfriendly, while the provider’s response explains that river temperature, snowmelt, and weather can affect early-season decisions.

That weather issue is real. The Shoshone’s conditions depend on snowmelt, and the provider cannot control river flow or outdoor temperatures. If the activity is canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The published rating is 3.5 from two entries, so I would not treat that number as a firm measure of the outing. The useful pattern is clearer: the on-water experience and guide received strong praise, while communication and organization deserve extra attention before you book.

Who should book this Cody outing?

I would choose this for someone who wants two distinct Cody experiences in one package and does not mind a long outdoor day. It suits families with participants who can manage cold water and rapids, couples looking for more than sightseeing from the road, and first-time rafters who appreciate a guide giving direct instructions.

It is also a good fit if you have limited time in Cody and want to cover both river activity and wildlife viewing. The option to split the activities across two days helps if your schedule allows it.

I would think twice if you dislike getting wet, have no interest in active rafting, or want a fully predictable wildlife encounter. The wild Mustang Safari cannot promise a sighting in the supplied information, and the river depends on weather and seasonal conditions.

Book at least 24 hours ahead of the start time if you want a full refund option. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if the combination appeals to you: cold-water rafting in the morning and wild mustangs in the afternoon. The included lunch, gear, drinks, and small group make the $189 price easier to justify, especially when you want both activities and have only one open day in Cody.

Before paying, confirm the actual meeting time, ask what to bring for the gap between activities, and check current river conditions. If the provider answers clearly and you are ready for a wet, active morning, this is a memorable way to see more of Cody than a standard town tour allows.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at 1119 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming 82414.

Where does the activity end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the activity start?

The booking details list a 7:00 AM start time. The schedule also states that rafting runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, so confirm the exact meeting time with the provider.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours. The rafting portion runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and the Mustang Safari runs from 4:30 PM to about 7:00 PM.

Can the two activities be taken on separate days?

Yes. You may split the rafting and Mustang Safari into two separate days during your visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A riverside picnic lunch is included.

What equipment is provided?

Life vests, slickers, drinks, bottled water, and other rafting equipment are included.

Will I get wet during the rafting?

Yes. You should wear water shoes and clothes that can get wet. The river water can be very cold.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you will also be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.