CASPER, Wyo. — Nine Wyoming rest areas which were closed in June 2020 as a cost-saving measure will re-open ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the Wyoming Office of Tourism said on Thursday.
Governor Mark Gordon has directed the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Office of Tourism to temporarily re-open the following rest areas for at least the duration of the 2021 tourist season:
- 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 Jct on I-25
- Chugwater on I-25
“With the summer season just around the corner, I’m glad we will be able to reopen these facilities to travelers,” Gordon said in the announcement. “We are glad to have this chance to find a temporary solution.”
WYDOT and the Wyoming Office of Tourism will work together to secure federal funding to allow the rest areas to re-open on a temporary basis.
“Each of these nine rest areas are a valuable tourism tool, Wyoming Office of Tourism Ececutive Director Diane Shober said. “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.”
WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner added: “WYDOT is extremely grateful to Governor Gordon and Director Shober for identifying new federal funds to temporarily reopen our rest areas for the tourist season.”
