Kicking Red Canyon Wild Mustang Bus Tour Deals 5 PM In Cody

The main draw here is simple: you head into the McCullough Peaks looking for free-roaming mustangs, not horses in a ranch pen. The three-hour trip also brings wide Wyoming views, sunset light, badlands, and a chance to spot pronghorn, elk, coyotes, or sage grouse.

I like the 5 PM departure, which leaves your morning and early afternoon open in Cody. I also like the small-group format and the local guides, including Burns, Sherry, Jarred, Dave, and Liz, who have been praised for their area stories and persistence in finding the herds.

The trade-off is that wild animals set the schedule. Some outings have found 30 to 40 horses, while another saw only three. The van ride can also be rough on dirt roads, and equipment and vehicle quality have not been perfectly consistent.

Key points to know before you book

• Wild mustangs in their natural range: Search the McCullough Peaks for free-roaming herds, with no guarantee of a close sighting.
• A useful late-day departure: The 5 PM start fits neatly around other Cody plans and may bring sunset color to the badlands.
• Small-group attention: The van is described as carrying up to 12 people, while the activity limit is listed as 15.
• Gear is supplied: Binoculars, a spotting scope, rain slickers, a guide, and bottled water are included.
• Expect an active outing: You may walk through rolling desert hills, so bring closed-toed shoes and your own water bottle.
• Book with realistic expectations: Herd size, viewing distance, road comfort, and available equipment can vary.

Searching the McCullough Peaks at 5 PM

This tour leaves from Cody Wyoming Adventures at 1119 12th Street in Cody and returns there after roughly three hours. You ride out toward the McCullough Peaks, a broad, dry area where the scenery is part of the payoff even when the horses keep their distance.

The late afternoon timing works well. You can spend the morning at another Cody attraction, take an early lunch, and still have time to meet at the 5 PM departure. As the outing moves toward evening, the light can soften the desert colors and bring a warmer look to the mountain backdrops.

Your guide searches for the herds while driving through the area and explaining what you are seeing. The guides have included Burns, Sherry, Jarred, Dave, Liz, and Sydnie, among others. Names and assignments can change, but the guide is an important part of the experience. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint. You are relying on someone who knows the roads, the terrain, and the usual places to look.

The tour description says the vehicle can carry up to 12 people, while the maximum activity size is listed as 15. That still makes this a smaller outing than a large coach tour, but I would confirm the actual vehicle size when booking if personal space matters to you.

Wild horses, changing distances, and the luck factor

The best moment comes when a guide locates a herd and sets up a viewing position. Some outings have seen two separate herds, including groups of about 40 horses. Others have spotted more than 40 mustangs, with several close enough to photograph from the van.

Do not expect the same result every time. One outing produced only three horses, and another found horses far away but still visible through camera zoom. That is not a flaw in the animals or the guide. These are free-roaming horses, and their location changes.

You may see stallions, mares, and younger horses spread across the open country. The tour refers to the mustangs as the fighting stallions of the McCullough Peaks, a nod to the dramatic behavior and strong presence of the males. Still, you should keep a respectful distance. One outing described a group of about 40 horses viewed from the legal distance, with another herd farther away.

The supplied binoculars and spotting scope matter here. Horses can look small against the open country, especially when they are on a distant slope. A long camera lens or a phone with a strong zoom will help, but you should not count on close-up portraits every time.

The guide may get you close to the horses while keeping a proper distance, but close is relative. The most reliable expectation is a good chance to search for wild horses in beautiful country, not a guaranteed face-to-face encounter.

More than mustangs: pronghorn, elk, and desert wildlife

The McCullough Peaks outing is also a general wildlife search. Possible sightings listed for the trip include coyotes, horned lizards, pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, and elk. The animals are not placed for viewing, so sightings will depend on timing and luck.

Pronghorn are especially fitting for this open country. They need room to move and can appear as small, fast shapes across the flats. Sage grouse and horned lizards are harder to spot, which makes the guide’s scanning skills useful. You may see no wildlife beyond the horses, or you may collect a much broader list.

This variety helps protect the outing from becoming a single-question trip. If the mustangs are far away, you still have the desert, mountain backdrops, flowers, wildlife, and local stories to enjoy. The guide can also point out features you might pass without noticing from the road.

Bring your camera, but keep your eyes off the screen for part of the trip. The broad views can be easy to miss while you are trying to frame a horse. A few of the strongest moments may come between sightings, when the van reaches a high point or the evening light spreads across the badlands.

Stories from Buffalo Bill Cody to John Colter

The ride includes local culture and Old West stories. The guide may discuss Buffalo Bill Cody, Jim Bridger, and John Colter, along with mountain man tales and the area’s ecology.

These stories give the drive a sense of place. Cody is closely tied to the Buffalo Bill story, and the surrounding country helps explain why routes, water, wildlife, and open ground mattered so much to people moving through the region. The trip is not presented as a formal museum talk, so expect informal storytelling mixed with wildlife watching.

The guides have been singled out for being friendly, personable, and well informed about the region. Burns, Sherry, Jarred, Dave, and Liz have all been identified by name in comments about particular outings. You may have a different guide, but the experience depends heavily on who is behind the wheel and how actively that person searches and explains.

One guide was praised for not giving up until a herd was found. That is encouraging, but it also reveals the nature of the trip. A search can take time. The guide may need to check several areas before finding horses, and the group may spend part of the outing simply moving through the country.

The Wyoming badlands and the walking portion

The tour includes views of what the operator calls the Wyoming Badlands, with rolling desert hills, mountain backdrops, and seasonal desert flowers. A high point near the canyon has provided a particularly broad panorama on some outings.

You may walk through the rolling hills rather than remain inside the van for the entire three hours. The description specifically advises closed-toed shoes. Take that seriously. This is not a paved overlook stop, and you should be comfortable walking on uneven desert ground.

Wear clothing suited to changing conditions. Rain slickers are supplied if needed, but a light jacket is still a sensible choice for a late-day outing. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a cancellation, a new date, or a full refund.

The scenery is valuable even if your horse count is modest. Dry hills, open sky, mountain shapes, and badland formations give you a real sense of the region outside Cody. I would treat the scenery as a major part of the trip, not as filler between animal sightings.

What the van ride is really like

The vehicle takes you over dirt roads, and the road conditions are part of the adventure. One description compared parts of the ride to a mechanical bull or a mild roller coaster. That sounds amusing until you remember that you may be sitting there for much of three hours.

Past reports also raised concerns about an older van, uncomfortable seats, dirty windows, a difficult step up, and air-conditioning trouble. The operator has acknowledged vehicle problems and has used other vehicles, including a Yellowstone van and an open-air safari truck. That means the exact ride may vary.

I would not book this expecting a polished luxury vehicle. The point is to reach rough country that standard sightseeing vehicles do not cover. Still, vehicle condition affects comfort and your ability to take clear photos through the windows.

If you have mobility concerns, ask about the current vehicle and the step height before paying. The information says most people can participate, but it does not give a detailed accessibility description. The walking portion and rough roads are worth considering.

Equipment, water, and practical preparation

Binoculars, a spotting scope, bottled water, a guide, and rain slickers are listed as included. That is useful because wildlife may be distant and the weather can change.

Equipment availability has not always been consistent. One outing reported too few binoculars and no spotting scope, despite the stated inclusions. I would confirm that the current trip has enough binoculars for the group and that a spotting scope will be aboard, especially if wildlife viewing is your main reason for booking.

Bring your own bottle of water anyway. One bottle per person was considered light for a three-hour trip, and another response indicated that a cooler should have been available. You should not have to rely entirely on the supplied bottle, particularly in dry Wyoming conditions.

Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes suitable for walking through desert hills. Take sun protection, though the late departure reduces the harshest midday heat. Cameras are worthwhile, and a phone with zoom can help when horses remain far off.

The mobile ticket makes arrival simple. Meet at 1119 12th Street, and plan to arrive with enough time to check in before the 5 PM start. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, this is reasonably priced for a three-hour guided outing that includes transportation, a local guide, binoculars, a spotting scope, rain gear, and water. You are paying for access to a broad area, the guide’s search skills, and the chance to see wildlife that is difficult to locate on your own.

The value improves if you see a large herd, several species, and good evening scenery. Seeing 30 to 40 mustangs, a few pronghorn, and the badlands in sunset light would make the price feel strong. The value is less convincing if the horses stay distant, the equipment is limited, or the vehicle is uncomfortable.

There is also a 15 to 20 percent service-industry gratuity that is not included. Plan for that extra cost if you feel the guide provided good service. Since gratuity is separate, the real total will be higher than the advertised $69.

The trip is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 58 days. If your Cody dates are fixed, reserving early makes sense. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation is possible if that minimum is not reached.

Who will enjoy this Cody wildlife tour?

I would choose this for anyone who has always wanted to see wild mustangs and understands that nature does not follow a script. It is also a good fit if you want a few hours outside Cody without giving up an entire day.

Photographers will appreciate the open views, animal subjects, and late-day light. The best photos may require patience, zoom, and a willingness to accept that some horses will be distant. People who prefer an easy paved sightseeing ride should think carefully about the dirt roads and walking.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the short duration manageable, since most people can participate. I would still consider the uneven ground, van step, and rough ride before bringing anyone who has trouble climbing or walking.

History fans get informal stories about Buffalo Bill Cody and other Western figures, while wildlife lovers get a focused search rather than a general drive. You do not need to be an expert in horses. You only need to accept the possibility that the animals may be far away.

Cancellation and timing details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 5 PM start for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Bad weather can cancel the trip. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within one hour of departure, confirmation is subject to availability and may arrive as soon as possible.

Should you book the McCullough Peaks mustang tour?

Book it if the chance to see free-roaming horses matters more to you than guaranteed close views or a smooth ride. The strongest version of this outing combines a large herd, an outgoing guide such as Burns, Sherry, Jarred, Dave, or Liz, sunset over the badlands, and a few extra wildlife sightings.

Skip it if you need a comfortable, predictable vehicle, guaranteed animal numbers, or a fully paved experience. Before booking, confirm the current vehicle, binocular supply, and spotting scope. Bring your own water, wear closed-toed shoes, and leave room in your expectations for nature to be unpredictable.

For most people who want a genuine wild horse search near Cody, $69 is a fair starting price. Just remember what you are buying: not a staged horse show, but a guided hunt for animals that are free to roam wherever they please.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Cody Wyoming Adventures, 1119 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming 82414.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 5 PM.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Cody Wyoming Adventures.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are listed as included for use during the tour.

Is a spotting scope provided?

Yes. A spotting scope is listed as included for use during the tour.

Is water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included, though bringing an additional bottle is sensible for the three-hour outing.

What should I wear?

Wear closed-toed shoes and clothing suitable for walking through rolling desert hills. Rain slickers are supplied if needed.

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 number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.