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Bessey Recreation Complex

40637 River Loop, Halsey, Nebraska, United States

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Bessey Picnic Area

Nebraska National Forest, Bessy Ranger District

Looking out the Entrance to the Bessey Recreation Complex

Bessey Ranger District and Nursery Office

Bessey Picnic Shelter

Featured amenities

Showers

Showers

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About Bessey Recreation Complex

Bessey Recreation Complex and campground is located in central Nebraska, adjacent to Middle Loup River, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy the scenery, relax, and recreate. Download the Recreation.gov app from your app store to pay online for first-come, first-serve sites.

Available sites

22 total sites

RV Sites 18 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 4 sites Check Availability

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season

Upcoming seasons

Past seasons

Closed periods

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers

Showers

RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

Dump station on site

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

Showers

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Rates, Sites & Availability

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22 Sites Available

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🚐 003, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 55 ft long · Gravel

🚐 004, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 58 ft long · Gravel

🚐 006, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 52 ft long · Gravel

🚐 009, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 41 ft long · Gravel

🚐 010, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 46 ft long · Paved

🚐 011, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 012, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 28 ft long · Gravel

🚐 013, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 39 ft long · Gravel

🚐 014, Loop: HRWD RV

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80 ft long · Paved · Pull-through

🚐 015, Loop: HRWD RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 ft long

⛺ 016, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 018, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 019, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Gravel · Campfire · Full shade

🚐 023, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 024, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 37 ft long · Gravel

🚐 025, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 48 ft long · Gravel

🚐 028, Loop: RVLP RV

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64 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 029, Loop: RVLP RV

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38 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 030, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 ft long

🚐 031, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 ft long

🚐 032, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel

⛺ 038, Loop: CEDR Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

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Site Details

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22 Sites Available

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Site

Price

🚐 003, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 55 ft long · Gravel

🚐 004, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 58 ft long · Gravel

🚐 006, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 52 ft long · Gravel

🚐 009, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 41 ft long · Gravel

🚐 010, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 46 ft long · Paved

🚐 011, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 012, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 28 ft long · Gravel

🚐 013, Loop: CEDR RV

30 amp · 39 ft long · Gravel

🚐 014, Loop: HRWD RV

80 ft long · Paved · Pull-through

🚐 015, Loop: HRWD RV

Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 ft long

⛺ 016, Loop: HRWD Tent

Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 018, Loop: HRWD Tent

Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 019, Loop: HRWD Tent

Gravel · Campfire · Full shade

🚐 023, Loop: RVLP RV

30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 024, Loop: RVLP RV

30 amp · 37 ft long · Gravel

🚐 025, Loop: RVLP RV

30 amp · 48 ft long · Gravel

🚐 028, Loop: RVLP RV

64 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 029, Loop: RVLP RV

38 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 030, Loop: RVLP RV

Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 ft long

🚐 031, Loop: RVLP RV

Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 ft long

🚐 032, Loop: RVLP RV

Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel

⛺ 038, Loop: CEDR Tent

Paved · Campfire · Full shade

Reviews

157 reviews

Summary

AI generated

The Bessey Recreation Complex is praised for its spacious and clean campsites, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff. Many visitors enjoyed the beautiful hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and the overall serene environment, especially during weekdays when it was quieter. However, noise from nearby trains and ATVs can be disruptive, particularly on weekends, and some reviewers noted cleanliness issues in the showers and bathrooms. Overall, it's considered a hidden gem for campers seeking a rustic experience in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Based on guest feedback

4.1

Overall rating

Based on 157 reviews

5 stars 51.6% (81)

4 stars 24.8% (39)

3 stars 11.5% (18)

2 stars 8.3% (13)

1 star 3.8% (6)

Showing 157 reviews

Oldest First

Newest First Oldest First

Paul R

Verified

September 24, 2026 Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP

Always enjoy Bessey! The crew there does great job of keeping everything looking good, from mowing the grass, to clean shower house and outhouses. We enjoy the peace (except for a Coal Train going by about every 1/2hr, but that is minor thing), the ATV Trails, the River and Dark Skies to see all the stars. The only thing that is tough to experience is the Fire Damage to a very large portion of the Forest as we had been there so many times before the devastation, and remember what it used to be. Unfortunate that those fires occurred, glad that the firefighters and all involved, were able to save Bessey Complex from the devastation as the fire did get very close.

Helpful

Jay H

Verified

September 25, 2026 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

Campsites were well maintained. Campground was super clean.

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Josh l

Verified

September 27, 2026 Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR

Nice campground, very clean showers.

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Kevin S

Verified

October 2, 2026 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

Think twice about this campground. It is surrounded by dead timber. The campground has tall grass and weeds. We got a mouse infestation during one night stay.

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Jean G

Verified

October 2, 2026 Stayed at: 012, Loop: CEDR

Very convenient to find and lovely place to stay for a night when making a long trek to Colorado. Appreciate the amenities.

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Ron M

Verified

October 5, 2026 Stayed at: 012, Loop: CEDR

A beautiful place to relax!

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Roger W

Verified

October 5, 2026 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

Site 25 was o.k. Was able to hear the train, but was not too close or annoying. Only noticed it a couple times. Was a fairly short walk to the river. Plenty of walking trails in the area. Shower house was nice.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Bessey Recreation Complex

40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142 United States

Elevation: 828 ft

Map of Bessey Recreation Complex location at Halsey, NE, United States

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Getting There

From Interstate 80, travel north from North Platte, Nebraska on U.S. Hwy 83 for 65 mi to Thedford, Nebraska. Continue East for 16 mi on Nebraska Hwy 2, then South .5 mi from Hwy 2 on State Spur 86B.

Nearest town

Halsey, NE - 1.8 mi

About 3 min to downtown

Highway access

Bessey Recreation Complex is accessible via U.S. Hwy 83, which is approximately 65 miles south from Interstate 80 at North Platte, Nebraska. Nebraska Hwy 2 provides access east from Thedford, Nebraska, continuing to the campground.

Policies & Rules

General

The main restroom facilities and showers will be closed seasonally. Vault toliets are available year round. 
Only 1 trailer per site. A camper is considered a trailer. Additional trailers may be parked in the large day use parking lot. The group area is the exception. 
Keep off-road vehicles, cars and trailers on gravel. 
Off-road vehicles can only be ridden to the trailhead and back within the campground.
Double camping in sites is prohibited. No more than two tents per site. The group area is the exception. 
Only 2 cars may park at one campsite. The group area is the exception. 
Some sites are tent only. If you have a camper, please make sure you reserve a camper site. 
Campsite must be occupied the first night. 
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Horse corrals not available at the Bessey Recreation Complex. Horses are allowed and corrals are available at Natick and Whitetail Campgrounds. 
Click here for more information about the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

Nearby Campgrounds

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Holiday RV Park

North Platte, NE

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Fishberry Campground and RV Park

Prairie View RV Park

Campground / RV park

Prairie View RV Park

Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Halsey

2 mi away

Explore destination

Dunning

11 mi away

Explore destination

Thedford

15 mi away

Last updated: November 3, 2026

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Explore Halsey, NE

Population: 13

Elevation: 2,697 ft

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Halsey, NE

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service