Following the Modoc War, McKay toured the country with several Warm Springs Scouts and performed in Wild West shows that were popular at the time. He toured Europe with promoter "Colonel" Thomas Augustus Edwards performing before European monarchs and then returned home to participate in the 1876 American Centennial Exposition celebration in Philadelphia. In 1877, Donald was a part of the 'Texas Jack Combination' formed by Texas Jack Omohundro and debuted in St. Louis that year. Donald toured the U.S with his family to promote patent medicines with the "Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company" of Boston and later with the "Oregon Indian Medicine Company" formed by T.A. Edwards. In 1881 Edwards published a biography of McKay titled "Daring Donald McKay; or, The last war-trail of the Modocs".