Need Hotel Info (Rock Springs, Evanston, Jackson: hotels, construction, taxi)

[jadbad2004]

My husband and I are looking for hotels between Rock Springs and Alpine to stay for the night, on our way to Idaho in June. We will be taking 191 off of US 80, I have looked into Pinedale area but the few hotels seem to be booked that night. Looking for interesting things to do and see while there, would appreciate any help. Thanks
Beth

[sunsprit]

Good Luck ...

between energy/extractive industry boom economies and the tourist season, there's very few available motel rooms in the area. The motel marketplace in the region has been very underserved for a long time.

Other than searching out all of the motels along your route and contacting them directly, I'd try using a travel agent to get a booking.

If you're seeking a really nice motel in a tourist area, it may be difficult and/or expensive to find at this time. Many motels double (or more) their rates for the summer season.

[RockyMtnr]

Jadbad ... there's a thing about Wyoming. It's not your almost-typical "see it in one day" State.
First, it's an underpopulated state having only half-a-million people living as residents in a gigantic area.
Second, there are always road-work crews, oil-field crews, gas-field crews, construction crews, etc.
Third, Wyoming survives on tourism - but can't afford to install all the services because there's nearly no winter tourism except for Jackson Hole. Starting about October, everything goes back to the simpler notion of survival for the residents ... and business owners. Many business do not come to the area because of the "dead" winters.
So, there's barely enough enterprise to support the residents of the state, let along the tourists and it's a real snafu because most towns are made up primarily of motels, gas stations, truck stops and bars ... most hoping to catch a share of tourists and only a very few really designed for the "locals".
If you're actually going to Alpine, you have two choices: Idaho Falls or Jackson. Alpine has a few motels, Afton even fewer and Thayne even less.
June, July and August are major draws for conventions in the area - most at Jackson but a small number around Alpine.
Check out Idaho Falls - it's 110 miles away and has many motels - I think it's your best bet. However, between Rock Springs and anywhere else in Wyoming ... it's a matter of getting really lucky.
One other option is Montpelier, Idaho but you're talking about going past Rock Springs to Evanston and heading to Alpine from there. Evanston has plenty of motels too - but it's the same story.

[dwilke]

They said they were going up 191, so actually Afton and Thayne would be out of their way. Now, if it were me I'd take US30 from I-80 and travel north using that route. More chances of finding a motel for the night - Kemmerer, Cokeville, Afton, Thayne, Etna, etc. Just a thought.

[jdavid93225]

Maybe I've been lucky in my travels there, but each time I've wanted to stay in Rock Springs, I've been able to find a room in town. I had to settle for the Econolodge one time, and the America's Best Value Inn another time. Neither of these was luxurious by my standards, but both were clean and well kept, and both were reasonably priced. If you go to the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce website ( http://www.rockspringswyoming.net/me...ip.htm#Lodging ), you will find lots of lodging options. This should help you find something that will work for you when you're in that area.

Enjoy your trip.

[sunsprit]

If you want to stay in Rock Springs, definitely make a reservation in advance.

Most of the town's motel rooms are sold out to the energy companies at this time. As in the whole motel has been sold out to Haliburton or Schlumberger or similar companies.

I wouldn't rate Rock Springs as a tourist attraction site with lots of things to do while there. It's pretty much only a stopover point ... a place for a motel and a restaurant.

There are very few motel rooms left for travelers at this time ....

I stayed in Rock Springs last October and the only room I found in town was an unused room assigned for Haliburton execs if they came through ... the motel front desk was nice enough to let me have the room for $112 for the night when I was stranded in town.

There were a few Mom&Pop motels with a room at a $70/nite rate available, but they were pretty rotten places .... motels from the 40's-50's which last saw a refurbishing in 1960 or so. They didn't offer a courtesey pick-up from the airport (where I was weathered in), which would have added $40-50 in taxi charges to get back and forth from the airport.

When you check the map for US 191, you'll see very few "towns" North of Rock Springs until you get to Pinedale ... places like Eden and Farson, towns of about 100 population. 191 is a very desolate stretch of road ....

You may want to consider taking US 30 to Kemmerer and then US 89 through the Star Valley to Alpine. Much more scenic, more populated with many little towns and stopping places along the way, and many more motel opportunities and things to do along the route.

[jadbad2004]

It's funny you mention 30 Sunspirit because my bro told us there wasnt much on 191 also, so we are continuing on 80 and taking 30 across to Idaho, but will keep in mind wemay need to go into Idaho Falls for the night. We just do not want to drive up to Salmon when its dark, especially the canyon roads that way. Thanks all for your valuble input really appreciate it.

Beth

[shadowwalker]

What are you driving? How many traveling with you?
After 23 years in the oilpatch. I have slept in about anything on wheels, in many places. It's not the best. But if you have too.......

[jadbad2004]

Shadowwalker,
We are driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and towing a 12 ft trailer, just be hubby and I and our 16 yr old son...but have 2 cats so that is reason for lodging, to give them a chance to unwind and play a little. We also really want to see some local sites and do not want the cats in a hot vehicle while we eat and poke around.

Beth