Nine Wyoming Rest Areas To Reopen – Temporarily
Written by Andrew-Rossi on May 6, 2021
Greybull gets its rest area back – temporarily, at least, thanks to an order from Governor Gordon to prepare Wyoming for its annual influx of summer tourists.
Courtesy Fire Aviation & Bill Gabbert
At the direction of Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) are partnering to reopen and operate several previously closed rest areas.
Last year, WYDOT shut down ten rest areas to save costs in the shadow of looming budget cuts. Now, nine of those rest areas will reopen for the Summer 2021 tourist season.
“With the summer season just around the corner, I’m glad we will be able to reopen these facilities to travelers,” Governor Gordon said. “We are glad to have this chance to find a temporary solution.”
Both WYDOT and WOT are working together to find a temporary source of funding for the temporary reopening.
The following rest stops across Wyoming are slated for the summer reopening:
- Lusk on US 18
- Guernsey on US 26
- Greybull on US 16
- Moorcroft on I-90
- Star Valley on US 89
- Sundance on I-25
- Upton on US 16
- Orin Junction on I-25
- Chugwater on I-25
All of these rest stops lie along heavily trafficked but underdeveloped stretches of Wyoming’s highways. The governor hopes reopening these areas will provide more relief to tourists and promote the state’s attractions.
“Each of these nine rest areas are a valuable tourism tool, said Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism. “Certainly, a clean facility is important to the visitor experience, but it is also a powerful marketing platform to distribute travel guides and other trip-planning resources. As travelers are stretching their legs, they are also gathering information on local events, attractions, restaurants, campgrounds, and lodging, which all can lead to extended stays and increase visitor spending.”
The Greybull rest area is notable as the location of the Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting, which operates seasonally. It should be open later this month.
All nine Wyoming rest areas should be open and operating by Memorial Day weekend.
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