Wyoming isn’t the best-kept secret it once was; outdoor enthusiasts ranging from rock climbers and whitewater rafters to hunters and anglers are coming here in increasing numbers, and frequently outside of the usual peak summer tourist season.
And while they’re here, they need places to stay.
Wyoming native Travis Glascow thinks he’s caught the leading edge of a bountiful niche market. That being, Airbnb-style rentals for people trying to avoid the growing mobs drawn by Wyoming’s landscapes and wildlife.
People for whom seclusion takes precedence over luxury.
“This is more for the rugged adventure,” he said of his Casper-based rental hub startup, Cabin Maven.
“Typically, Airbnb is ‘glamping.’ We’re more dirty and rugged,” Glasgow added.
Wyoming Is On The Radar Now
Glasgow, who is in his 40s, told Cowboy State Daily that he’s noticed a dramatic change from back when he was growing up and going out on adventures with his dad.
“Now, it just seems like there are a lot more people from out of state out there,” he said. “I also travel a lot and meet with people from other states. And they know about Wyoming. They know about the outdoor opportunities here. That didn’t used to be the case.”
What Glasgow has seen reflects a larger trend. Outdoor recreation has ballooned into an economic juggernaut in Wyoming and across the country, becoming an $860 billon-per-year industry.
Cabin Maven was also inspired by Glasgow’s own experiences. As an avid backcountry hiker, he was having trouble finding places to stay near trailheads that offered the rugged privacy he was looking for.
“There’s just kind of a gap (in the rental market), as far as most adventurers are concerned,” he said. “You can find places in Jackson where it’s nice to stay, and that are reasonably close to the hiking. But I wanted to find sites that are up and in mountains and really away from it all,” he said.
Cabin Maven has undergone a “soft launch” and is set for a full opening on June 1, Glasgow said.
: Travis Glasgow and his girlfriend Samantha recently enjoyed a hike to Delta Lake near Jackson. Glasgow thinks his company, Cabin Maven, will appeal to outdoors enthusiasts looking for remote places to stay. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven) 
As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven) 
As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven)
Partnering With Private Owners
Regarding the challenge of finding places off the beaten path, but still reasonably accessible, Glasgow said he found the solution by partnering with private property owners.
The rentals offered through Cabin Maven are on private property, a sure-fire way for renters to avoid crowds.
That’s similar to the approach of another recently-founded Casper-based company, Infinite Outdoors.
Infinite Outdoors connects hunters and anglers with private property owners who have good fishing or hunting spots tucked away on their land.
Unlike with traditional guide services, the hunters and anglers that use Infinite Outdoors typically take a “do-it-yourself” approach. They pay the landowners relatively modest fees to schedule no-frills access to the land or waterways.
Glasgow said he’s familiar with Infinite Outdoors and has partly modeled his business after their approach. In other words, catering to people who are experienced and have their own equipment, but just need access to choice spots.
Looking forward, Glasgow said he sees an opportunity to tap into a customer base that includes people who want to hire guides.
“Eventually, I’d like to partner with people around the region, such as outfitters for whitewater rafting or guided horseback riding,” Glasgow said.
As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven) 
As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven) 
As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it. (Courtesy Travis Glasgow, Cabin Maven)
Activities-Based Approach
Cabin Maven, Infinite Outdoors and similar businesses represent a trend that’s growing along with the booming outdoors recreation industry.
They are services that blend the customers’ own initiative and desire for adventure with a need for a more focused approach that saves them from wasting time on blind searches for the sorts of places they’re looking for.
That’s where technology comes into play said Glasgow, who is an experienced web developer.
The Cabin Maven site includes and AI chatbot that can help customers narrow their search according to the activities and general locations they’re most interested in.
That search method puts an activity, such as whitewater rafting, first, and then tried to match the customer with the best places to stay, Glasgow said.
Other factors, such as rental rates are also considered, he said.
Glasgow also hopes that his and similar business models will pull money into Wyoming’s economy.
“A lot of the people who host these places customers can rent are local property owners, who will contribute directly to local economies,” Glasgow said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
