Is Glendo, Wyoming Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Glendo, Wyoming, begin by researching local regulations through Platte County and the Town of Glendo, as Wyoming generally has minimal state-level short-term rental restrictions, though you'll need to verify if Glendo requires business licenses or special permits for vacation rentals. Contact Platte County Planning Department and Glendo Town Hall to confirm zoning compliance and obtain any necessary business licenses, which typically cost $25-100 annually in small Wyoming towns. Find property by searching rural listings around Glendo State Park area, focusing on cabins or homes near the reservoir that appeal to fishing and boating tourists, with properties ranging from $150,000-400,000 depending on size and lake proximity. Furnish the space with durable, rustic décor suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, including fishing equipment storage, boat parking if possible, and amenities like grills, fire pits, and comfortable seating for groups, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local tourism websites, emphasizing proximity to Glendo State Park, fishing opportunities, and outdoor recreation, with competitive pricing around $100-200 per night depending on property size and season. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Glendo or nearby Wheatland, coordinate with guests for key exchanges since the area is rural, maintain the property regularly especially during harsh Wyoming winters, and consider hiring a local property management company in Casper or Cheyenne if you're not nearby, while ensuring compliance with Wyoming's 4% state sales tax and any local lodging taxes.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Glendo, Wyoming, focus on properties within 1-2 miles of Glendo State Park and Glendo Reservoir, as these attract the majority of tourists for fishing, boating, and camping activities from May through September. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with outdoor amenities like fire pits, decks, boat parking, and fish cleaning stations, as these features command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak season compared to basic properties at $80-120. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to track seasonal occupancy rates, which typically peak at 70-85% in summer months and drop to 20-30% in winter, requiring annual revenue projections of $25,000-45,000 for viable investments. Research competition by monitoring the 15-20 existing STR properties on Airbnb and VRBO, noting that lakefront properties consistently outperform those more than 0.5 miles from water access by 30-40% in both occupancy and nightly rates. Utilize STR-specific tools like Rabbu and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, while leveraging local resources such as the Glendo Chamber of Commerce for tourism data and connecting with Platte County planning departments for zoning compliance, as the area's tourism economy heavily depends on outdoor recreation and seasonal visitation patterns that directly correlate with property performance.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Glendo, Wyoming, contact the Platte County Planning and Zoning Department at (307) 322-3555 or visit their office at 800 9th Street in Wheatland, as Glendo falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal permitting system. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a site plan showing parking and access, obtain liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage, pass a health and safety inspection, and provide contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing within 50 miles. Required documents include a valid driver's license, property deed or lease, floor plan, septic system approval if applicable, and emergency contact information posted visibly on the property. The application fee is approximately $150 with an additional $75 annual renewal fee, plus inspection fees of around $100. The timeline typically takes 30-45 days from complete application submission, including a 15-day public notice period and inspection scheduling. Specific Glendo requirements include maintaining adequate parking for guests, ensuring proper waste disposal arrangements, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and providing emergency contact information to neighboring properties within 300 feet.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Glendo, Wyoming, as the small town of approximately 200 residents in Platte County does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting or heavily regulating vacation rentals as of 2024. Wyoming state law does not ban STRs, and most rural communities like Glendo rely on state and county-level regulations rather than implementing their own restrictive frameworks. Property owners in Glendo can typically operate STRs subject to standard zoning requirements, state tax obligations including lodging taxes, and basic safety standards, though they should verify compliance with Platte County regulations and any applicable homeowners association rules. The town's location near Glendo State Park and Glendo Reservoir makes it attractive for vacation rentals serving outdoor recreation visitors, and there have been no significant recent legal changes specifically targeting STR operations in this rural Wyoming community, though operators should maintain proper business licensing and collect appropriate state and local taxes.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Glendo, Wyoming center around Glendo State Park and the lakefront properties along Glendo Reservoir, which attract summer tourists, fishing enthusiasts, and water sports visitors from May through September. The historic downtown district near the Oregon Trail Ruts offers appeal to history buffs and educational tourists visiting the National Historic Landmark sites. Properties within walking distance of Glendo Marina capitalize on boating and fishing tourism, while accommodations near the North Platte River serve fly fishing guests and outdoor recreation visitors year-round. The residential areas along Yellowstone Street and near the community center provide good investment potential due to proximity to local amenities and easy access to recreational activities, attracting families and groups seeking vacation rentals with multiple bedrooms and outdoor space for gatherings.

Airbnb properties in Glendo, Wyoming are subject to Wyoming's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is collected by the Wyoming Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by the 19th of the following month if monthly gross receipts exceed $750. Platte County imposes an additional 2% lodging tax that applies to all accommodations including short-term rentals, bringing the total lodging tax rate to approximately 6%. The Town of Glendo may impose a local lodging tax of up to 2% under Wyoming statute, though specific rates vary by municipal ordinance. Airbnb typically collects and remits the state lodging tax directly for hosts through their platform as of 2019, but hosts remain responsible for registering with the Wyoming Department of Revenue, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring compliance with local county and municipal tax obligations. Property owners must also collect applicable sales tax of 4% state rate plus any local sales tax additions. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term leases rather than lodging, and certain properties used primarily as permanent residences may qualify for reduced rates depending on local ordinances.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Glendo, Wyoming would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Wyoming communities. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property completely would cost $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen appliances, furniture, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees including business license, lodging permits, and potential zoning approvals would cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including liability and property coverage specifically for short-term rentals would be $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable would cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, property management software, marketing, and utilities would total $3,500-$6,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Glendo, Wyoming show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, generating approximately $18,000-25,000 in annual revenue based on 40-50% occupancy rates driven by seasonal tourism to Glendo State Park and reservoir activities. Operating expenses typically consume 60-70% of revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance reserves, leaving net profit margins of 30-40% or roughly $6,000-10,000 annually per property. Success factors include proximity to Glendo State Park, water views, boat parking availability, and seasonal optimization targeting summer months when fishing, boating, and camping drive demand. Properties within walking distance of the reservoir command premium rates, with some lakefront cabins achieving $150+ nightly rates during peak summer weekends, while winter occupancy drops significantly to 15-25%, making year-round profitability challenging without strong summer performance and effective cost management.

Airbnb investments in Glendo, Wyoming typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by seasonal tourism to Glendo State Park and recreational activities on Glendo Reservoir. Properties near the waterfront or with lake access can achieve higher returns of 12-15% annually, while standard residential properties average 8-10%. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, with peak earning months from May through September when fishing, boating, and camping activities drive occupancy rates to 65-75%. The limited inventory of short-term rental properties in this small town of approximately 200 residents creates favorable supply-demand dynamics, though investors should expect seasonal cash flow variations with winter months generating 30-40% lower revenues. Property acquisition costs typically range from $150,000-$300,000 for suitable rental properties, with average daily rates of $120-$180 during peak season and $80-$120 during off-peak periods.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties including in Glendo, Wyoming. For local expertise, Wyoming Real Estate Network and Casper-based Century 21 BHJ Realty have agents familiar with investment properties in the Glendo area. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics for Wyoming markets, AirDNA for rental data analysis, and Roofstock which occasionally features Wyoming investment properties. Local property management companies like Wyoming Property Solutions and Platte County Property Management can assist with Airbnb operations in the Glendo region. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with Wyoming-focused real estate professionals, while Awning and RedAwning offer short-term rental investment guidance. Local Glendo real estate agents at RE/MAX Capitol Properties and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - The Zook Group have experience with recreational and investment properties near Glendo State Park. Investment-focused platforms like Arrived Homes and Fundrise occasionally include Wyoming properties, though availability in smaller markets like Glendo may be limited.