For seven decades, the giant penguin mascot standing sentinel over Interstate 80 (Rock Springs, Wyo.) has promised more than just 50-cent ice cream cones and marble restrooms — for many, it represented a sanctuary in the high desert, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide.
However, a major chapter of Wyoming roadside history is coming to a close as the original Little America prepares to shutter its hotel operations.
According to Katie Klossner, vice president of Government Relations and Public Communications, the closure is part of “a strategic effort to enhance the new travel center, fuel center, and the RV Park.”
Despite the nostalgia, leadership emphasizes that the spirit of Little America isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving.
The property still expects to welcome over 400,000 travelers annually. The “made-from-scratch” hospitality will continue through the following:
- The Penguin Deli & Grill serves gourmet burgers and fresh salads.
- The Travel & Fuel Centers, featuring 16 fueling islands and their signature “cleanest restrooms on I-80.”
- The RV Park, offering 42 spacious sites for modern road-trippers.
- Rocky Mountain Truck Center provides essential services like showers and laundry for long-haul drivers.
