Ride a tour bus through King Ranch’s history, horses, and cattle
1.5 hours
Guided bus tour, Ranch history
Take a 1.5-hour guided bus tour of King Ranch, starting at Santa Gertrudis Creek where Captain King first camped in 1852. Learn how the ranch works today as you pass historic sites, working pens, and ranch herds.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Ages 4 and under are free but must sit in a ticket holder’s lap. Late arrivals may miss the tour because the bus cannot wait.
No refunds for no-shows or cancellations after 12:00 PM the day before the tour. Cancel at or before 12:00 PM the day before for a full refund. If King Ranch cancels for any reason, you receive a refund of any advance payment(s) only.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour start time to check in and watch the orientation video if you’d like. The bus cannot wait for late arrivals.
Check in and pick up your tour tickets at the King Ranch Visitor Center.
Use the restrooms at the Visitor Center before you board the tour bus.
King Ranch Visitor Center, 2205 West Highway 141, Kingsville, Texas
Step inside the King Ranch Museum and you enter a world shaped by cattle drives, South Texas brush country, and generations of ranching tradition. Housed in a restored ice house in downtown Kingsville, the King Ranch Museum draws you in with a remarkable collection of artifacts that bring the ranch's 170-plus-year history to life through imagery, leather craft, and iron.
This historic working ranch offers multiple experiences, from guided tours to special events like their popular cowboy breakfast gatherings. The merchandise shop stands out consistently, with staff members earning particular praise for going above and beyond - one assistant manager even hand-delivered a last-minute gift order to ensure timely arrival. The friendly, attentive service keeps customers coming back, and some visitors have even made annual events here a cherished family tradition. The ranch tours get mixed feedback though. While you'll see cattle, horses, deer, and beautiful wildlife, the 90-minute bus experience has some drawbacks. Several guests found the enclosed bus uncomfortably hot without proper air conditioning, making it difficult to enjoy the primarily history-focused commentary. Visibility can be challenging too, with passengers sometimes unable to see the animals and features being pointed out. The cowboy breakfast events receive much warmer reviews and seem to be crowd favorites. Overall, visitors appreciate the quality and authenticity, though tour logistics could use improvement for comfort.
Tour guide was awesome.
Eric Kloer
April 2, 2026
Tour guide was awesome.
Eric Kloer
April 2, 2026