Headed for bigger and better

Spencer Riggs, the general manager of Little America, hopes to reassure the people he's heard express concern over the future of the travel station. When the restaurant had to close, people asked Riggs if Little America itself might close. His answer was "absolutely not." 

Not only is the travel center not closing, but features like the restaurant are up and running again, and the center is constantly adding new improvements. 

"I think a lot of people don't realize that's back and it's back better than it's been and only progressing," Riggs said. 

The latest progress at Little America was celebrated last week with a ribbon cutting for the brand-new, 42-spot RV Park now open at the facility. 

"This has been a long time coming," Tony O'Brien said during the ribbon cutting. O'Brien, Little America's Wyoming Area Manager, traveled to the facility along Interstate 80 to attend the ribbon cutting and show his support for the project. 

Riggs was the driving force behind the RV park, according to O'Brien.

"There had been talks about putting in an RV park for a long time," O'Brien explained. 

Riggs confirmed he first heard about the idea for an RV park when he started working at Little America 15 years ago. The concept was always discussed, but kept being put off. Finally, Riggs decided to make it happen. From the planning to the ribbon cutting, the RV park took about one year to become a reality - and only about four months from the groundbreaking to the opening. Little America worked with local contractors from Sweetwater County to get the job done as quickly and as well as possible.

Riggs explained the goal was to have the RV Park finished in the summer. 

"We got it ready pretty quick," he said. "We're happy with it." 

"I'd say hands-down it's the nicest RV park along I-80," O'Brien said. 

Riggs agreed, noting the park's location as part of Little America gives those who stay there access to more amenities than almost any other RV park can offer. Most RV parks are "on the edge of town" and might only be able to offer a snack bar, Riggs said. At Little America, RV Park guests have access to things like a steak dinner and a bar. 

"Not a lot of RV parks have a pool," O'Brien added. 

In addition to access to all of Little America's amenities, the RV Park offers back-in spots as well as pull-through spots, all with 30-AMP and 50-AMP hookups and full water and sewer. "Premium space" spots come with extra room as well as a personal firepit and grill. Everyone in the RV Park also has access to a common area with a grill and firepit, as well as a basketball court. The finishing touches are still being added, but the common area will eventually also include a variety of games like cornhole and horseshoes. 

Another unique offering for RV guests is free access to shower rooms - old motel rooms converted to offer a changing room and full bathroom. While the shower rooms will undergo even more renovation in the future, at present they offer bathrooms and showers that are more private and less rustic than most RV park bathrooms. 

Spots in the RV Park typically range from $55 to $85 a night, depending on the spot. For the month of September, Little America is offering a special deal where all spots are available for $39, according to Riggs. 

While the ribbon cutting ceremony occurred last week, the RV Park has been open and in use for about a month already.

The 42-spot park has currently seen about 15 customers a night, according to Riggs, but he hopes with the official ribbon cutting the word will start to spread and more people will take advantage of the space soon. 

"It was obvious that we needed it," Riggs said, explaining he could see the need just by watching the amount of RVs driving down I-80 on any given day. "We're here to serve people and that was a service we wanted to provide."

O'Brien noted Little America's location is perfect for an RV park because Sweetwater County is not only a gateway to the rest of Wyoming but full of its own attractions. He sees Little America as a "one stop shop" that offers a jumping-off point for those passing through that can also point them to the wide variety of local activities. 

While the RV Park benefits tourists passing through, it also directly benefits those who live in the county.

"Creating some more opportunities for us to gain some lodging tax dollars is big," O'Brien explained. "We want to make sure we're getting as much for Sweetwater County tourism as possible."

O'Brien expressed his gratitude for Little America's partnerships with the Wyoming Office of Tourism and Sweetwater Travel and Tourism, saying they all work together to bring people into Wyoming and into Sweetwater County to spend more money and give the area a chance to keep developing.

Green River Mayor Pete Rust, who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at Little America, also recognizes this benefit. 

"Any kind of new service, especially along Interstate 80, when we talk about economic diversification and things like that, is just a real positive for Green River," Rust said.

"This is the beginning of a strong future for this area, both for the travelers and for the locals," Riggs said. He believes the RV Park is just one step in continuing the "tradition of service" the hotel was founded on. 

"We have a lot of good plans in store and this is a start of that," O'Brien agreed.

Riggs is excited for the progress made this year, and he's not finished. He's looking forward to continuing to listen to suggestions from guests and continuing to upgrade the travel center.

"We're headed to bigger and better times," Riggs said. "The future of Little American Wyoming is only progressing."