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

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

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
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

22 Sites Available

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

Write a review
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

Teresa O

August 25, 2020

Wonderful place! The staff are wonderful and are so helpful. A top-notch place to take your family. Trails are beautiful! Very kid-friendly!

Helpful

Tamela A

Verified

August 31, 2020 Stayed at: 029, Loop: RVLP

Beware of drunk riders!

Helpful

Rebecca G

January 13, 2021

Perfect location for friends and family to enjoy the outdoors.

Helpful

Judy W

Verified

January 26, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR

for the last 3 days of our vacation a huge motorhome pulled onto the grass about 5 yards north of us. there was no site, and thy hooked up their 2 huge loud generators and ran them all day and all night long. There were 3 men and 5 teenagers plus 2 pre-teens in that motorhome. , plus 5 ATVs parked between the motorhome and our camper. It was a peaceful campground until they arrived, then it was very loud. All of our other camping experiences camping experiences at Halsey have been wonderful, but those last 3 days in 2020 were awful.

Helpful

Nina B

June 7, 2021

We didn't take advantage of any of the activities available (except the hiking trails) - we were there for a family reunion so we just hung around in our campsite. The group campsite was the perfect place for our reunion. Lots of sites, plenty of parking space, huge bonfire ring, lots of picnic tables, and a big shelter with electricity. A beautiful spot for any get together. The only downside to the whole experience were the bathrooms - nasty! Definitely need to be cleaned more often.

Helpful

Michael B

Verified

June 11, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

Everything was well maintained. There was always staff cleaning, mowing or taking care of the park. I recommend this place.

Helpful

Dan B

Verified

June 14, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: HRWD

The campsites are spacious and well spaced. I encourage you to hike to the Scott Fire Lookout Tower. There is a public shower in the picnic bathrooms.

Helpful

Terry P

Verified

June 15, 2021 Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP

great place !!!!

Helpful

John M

Verified

June 18, 2021 Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP

We had a great time even though it was very hot, plenty of trees and enough breeze to make it easier to cope with the heat.
The riding trails were in pretty good shape so we rode every day and some day's twice. Just make sure you have enough water to stay hydrated.
Will definitely be back again.

Helpful

Bonnie B

Verified

June 25, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: CEDR

Very nice campground. Clean and well kept. Only complaint was of the biting flies...not the campgrounds fault. Very enjoyable stay.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Bessey Recreation Complex

40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142 United States

Elevation: 828 ft

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 3, 2026

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Explore Halsey, NE

Population: 13

Elevation: 2,697 ft

Halsey, NE

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