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

Cody gives you two very different sides of Wyoming in one day: the quiet, dusty country of the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve, followed by a splashy run through seven miles of Shoshone River rapids. You may spot wild mustangs, migratory birds, and other wildlife before holding tight at Colters Falls and Little Big Drop.

I like the unusual pairing of a three-hour off-road safari and a guided rafting trip. I also like the flexible raft choice, with smaller boats for a quicker ride and larger rafts for families. The main catch is that lunch is not included, despite the long day, and you need enough fitness for a full day outdoors.

Key points at a glance

• Three-hour mustang safari: Explore the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve by vehicle, with creeks, badlands, wildlife, and local stories.
• Seven miles of whitewater: Raft named rapids including Colters Falls and Little Big Drop on the Shoshone River.
• Two styles of raft: Smaller rafts offer a faster, more active ride, while larger boats suit families.
• A full seven-hour outing: The day combines wildlife viewing, a break for food and dry clothes, and river time.
• Small group setting: The maximum group size is 15 people, which should allow for direct attention from the guide.
• Good basic equipment: Safety instructions, life vests, slickers, and bottled water are supplied.

From McCullough Peaks mustangs to Shoshone River rapids

The appeal here is variety. You are not spending seven hours doing one activity. The first part takes you into the dry country outside Cody, where the main prize is a glimpse of Wyoming’s wild horse herds. The second part changes the mood completely, putting you on moving water with a series of family-friendly rapids.

That combination works especially well if you have limited time in Cody and want more than a standard sightseeing drive. You get wildlife, open country, local stories, and a physical activity in one booking. It also gives parents a useful choice: children can watch for mustangs in the morning, then enjoy the excitement of the river later.

The schedule begins at 1:00 p.m. at 1119 12th Street in Cody and lasts about seven hours. The timing may sound unusual for a safari and rafting day, so check the exact operating plan when you book. The supplied schedule describes the safari first, followed by time to get a quick meal and change clothes before rafting.

Three hours in the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve

The safari heads into the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Preserve, a broad area just outside Cody known for its free-roaming mustangs. You will travel off-road, cross creeks, and explore the dry Wyoming terrain while keeping watch for the horses.

A wild horse sighting is never guaranteed, and that is part of the point. You are visiting a living preserve, not a wildlife park with animals placed beside the road. The guide can help you understand where to look and explain how the local herds fit into the area’s story.

The safari also includes chances to spot North American migratory birds and other wildlife. Bring patience. The best moments may be brief, such as a group of horses at a distance or a bird moving across the open sky. This part of the trip is less about checking off a guaranteed sighting and more about seeing a quieter side of Cody.

Your guide also shares old mountain man tales and information about the wild mustang herds. That storytelling gives the drive a stronger sense of place. The tour is not simply a ride through scenic country. You are also hearing why the area matters and how people have understood this part of Wyoming over time.

The off-road setting is a plus, but it also means the ride can be dusty, bumpy, or less comfortable than a normal sightseeing drive. Wear clothes and shoes that can handle dirt. You will also want sun protection, since much of the experience takes place outdoors.

The midday break: plan your own food and dry clothes

After the safari, you have time to get a quick lunch and change before the rafting portion. This pause is important because you are moving from a dry, dusty outing to an activity where you may get wet.

Do not count on lunch being part of the tour price. The experience information specifically lists lunch as not included, even though the itinerary describes a deli-style picnic in its narrative. The practical advice is simple: plan to buy or bring your own food unless the operator confirms otherwise.

You may also want a change of clothes, a towel, and a way to protect personal items. Slickers and bottled water are included, but the supplied details do not promise dry bags, towels, or storage for phones and cameras. Ask about those items before setting out if you want to bring electronics.

This break also gives you a chance to reset. The safari and rafting trip ask different things of you, and a meal and clothing change can make the second half far more pleasant.

Seven miles of Shoshone River whitewater

The rafting section covers about seven miles of the Shoshone River. You receive safety instructions before getting on the water, and a life vest is included. Listen closely even if you have rafted before, since river conditions can change and every guide has a particular way of organizing the boat.

The named rapids include Colters Falls and Little Big Drop. These names give you a useful sense of the day: this is a real whitewater ride, not a slow float with a few ripples. You will paddle, react to the guide, and hold on as the boat moves through the faster sections.

You can choose between smaller rafts and larger rafts. The smaller boats are intended to move faster and feel more active. Larger rafts are a better fit for families and may feel more stable for people who want the excitement of rapids without the most aggressive ride available.

The river also provides a scenic side to the outing. Look beyond the next rapid for views along the Shoshone, birds, and other wildlife. The guide adds local nature and history as you go, so the ride is not only about adrenaline.

Water levels can affect the character of the trip. At lower levels, the rapids may feel gentler, but you should still expect fun whitewater. At high water, conditions can become more demanding. The operator reserves the right to cancel for certain ages or physical abilities during extreme high-water periods.

What the guide and group size mean for you

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to keep the outing from feeling like a large bus excursion, and it should give you a reasonable chance to hear instructions and ask questions.

The guides are responsible for both safety and interpretation. The supplied information describes them as sharing nature and local history, telling mountain man stories, and leading the rafting portion. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular person.

Past feedback points to the guides as one of the strongest parts of the river experience. One account describes the guide as experienced and able to keep the trip enjoyable even when the river was running lower. Another says the guides helped make a nervous first rafting experience feel comfortable. That is useful if you are curious about whitewater but unsure how you will handle it.

The experience does require moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable climbing into a raft, following safety directions, and staying active during the river run. The minimum age is normally two, but age rules can change during extreme high water. Families should confirm the current limits before booking.

Is $119 a fair price?

At $119 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Cody, but the price covers two distinct guided activities. You are getting roughly three hours of mustang safari time plus a seven-mile rafting trip, along with safety equipment, a guide, slickers, and bottled water.

The value is strongest if you want variety and would otherwise pay separately for a wildlife drive and river trip. The tour also saves you from arranging two operators and working out the timing between them.

Lunch reduces the all-in value slightly because you must budget for your own meal. You may also need to provide your own towel, dry clothes, and protection for personal belongings. Still, the combination of the preserve and river makes the price reasonable for an active day, especially for families or small groups who want a ready-made plan.

The group limit of 15 also matters. You are paying for a more focused outing rather than a large crowd, though the exact boat size and seating arrangement may vary with the day’s bookings and river conditions.

Who will enjoy this Cody adventure most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to combine nature and action. It suits people who like wildlife but do not want to spend an entire day waiting quietly for a sighting. It also works for families looking for rafting that is exciting without being presented as an extreme expedition.

First-time rafters may appreciate the guide-led format and included safety briefing. You do not need to arrange your own equipment, and the smaller or larger raft choice lets you consider the level of activity that feels right.

The day may be less suitable if you want a relaxed sightseeing tour with little physical effort. The off-road safari can be bumpy, the river is active, and the schedule is long. You should also think twice if getting wet, handling rapids, or spending much of the day outdoors does not appeal to you.

Photography is possible, but this is not an ideal day for carrying delicate gear. Mustang sightings and river views are tempting subjects, yet the rafting portion calls for hands-free attention. Use a secure waterproof setup only if the operator approves it.

Practical details before you book

You meet at 1119 12th Street in Cody, Wyoming, at 1:00 p.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Wear clothing suited to both dusty open country and wet river conditions. Bring a change of clothes and plan your meal. Bottled water and slickers are supplied, but lunch is not.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

A 15 to 20 percent service-industry gratuity is not included. Budget for that separately if the guides provide the kind of service you expect from a guided outdoor trip.

Should you book Red Canyon’s Best Of The Wild West adventure?

Book it if you want Cody in two moods: wild horses and wide-open country first, then splashing whitewater on the Shoshone. The strongest reasons to choose it are the unusual combination, the small maximum group size, the choice of raft style, and the guides’ role in making the river portion approachable for first-timers.

Think carefully if you need a guaranteed mustang sighting, a quiet day, or a fully catered schedule. Lunch is your responsibility, the timing is long, and the river can change with water levels and weather.

For an active Cody day with a good mix of wildlife, local stories, and rapids, this is a strong pick. Plan your food and clothing before you go, then let the day shift from dusty badlands to cold river water.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

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

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 1:00 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point in Cody.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $119 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have time to get a quick meal before the rafting portion.

What equipment is provided?

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

How much rafting is included?

The river portion covers seven miles of rapids on the Shoshone River.

What is the normal minimum age?

The normal minimum age is two years old, but age and physical ability rules can change during extreme high-water conditions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also lead to a different date or a full refund.