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.
The guides here are a genuine highlight. Knowledgeable, personable, and clearly passionate about the ranch's history, names like Doug, Janelle, and Gabe come up repeatedly in glowing terms. The 90-minute bus tour covers a surprising amount of ground, with chances to spot broodmares, foals, Santa Gertrudis cattle, longhorns, and local wildlife along the way. History enthusiasts in particular seem to get a lot out of it. A couple of things worth knowing before you go: you stay on the bus throughout, so getting photos can be tricky. The visitor center is on the smaller side, though it does have a solid gift shop selection. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended. Most visitors leave genuinely impressed, and several mentioned wanting to return for one of the specialty tours.
Ms. Peggy was a very informative and interesting tour guide. Tour lasts an hour and a half. Bus was very comfortable. There was no movie today because they are no longer permitted to show the "old" one and the new one isn't ready yet. Buy tickets in advance on line.
Darrel B
May 12, 2026
Ms. Peggy was a very informative and interesting tour guide. Tour lasts an hour and a half. Bus was very comfortable. There was no movie today because they are no longer permitted to show the "old" one and the new one isn't ready yet. Buy tickets in advance on line.
Darrel B
May 12, 2026