Gov. Mark Gordon has directed the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Office of Tourism to partner to temporarily reopen nine rest areas for the 2021 tourist season and potentially beyond.

The pit stops had been shuttered in June 2020 as part of budget cuts, but the state government now plans to secure temporary federal funding to reopen and operate them.

“With the summer season just around the corner, I’m glad we will be able to reopen these facilities to travelers,” Gordon said. “We are glad to have this chance to find a temporary solution.”

The rest areas are located in Greybull, Lusk, Guernsey, Moorcroft, Star Valley, Sundance, Upton, Orin Jct and Chugwater. Each one is “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,” Shober said. “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 rest areas should reopen before Memorial Day weekend.