While already a growing trend, the pandemic saw a surge in the number of short-term rentals, including in Montana. By 2020 the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana had already logged 12,000 active short-term rentals across Montana, a number which has grown since then. While more populous areas of the state are seeing this trend accelerate, it's catching hold in Central Montana, too. Lewistown, for example, offers at least 36 vacation rental properties, according to AirDNA, a number which is growing by 2 percent per year.
Lewistown News-Argus (Mont.) (02/03/23) Deb Hill