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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

Newest First

Newest First Oldest First

Lesa B

Verified

August 8, 2026 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

We were only there for 1 night on the way to the Black Hills and 1 night coming home as that was halfway. It was a gem in the middle of our trip. The campground is very nice with electric hookups for the hot humid nights and nice shower houses. The river that runs by the campground is beautiful rolling through the Sandhills and the numerous trains are loud but you get used to them pretty quick. There are a couple of hiking trails and a lot utv traffic. The people were very friendly and it was busy both times we stayed there.

Helpful

Laura W

Verified

August 1, 2026 Stayed at: 031, Loop: RVLP

We stayed in site 31 with electric. This is a clean campground with lots of room between sites. It's very quiet except for the train noise nearby. Meh, no big deal. Burwell is an adorable little community and is worth the hour drive.

Helpful

Allison O

Verified

July 31, 2026 Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP

Amazing campground. Staff were helpful and friendly! While it is quiet and pretty remote, there is a train the sounds its horn and its popular with OTVs. This didn’t bother me but might someone else. It was clean and peaceful and it’s pretty cool to be in the sand hills and then BAM! All of a sudden a forest!

Helpful

Bobby L

Verified

July 26, 2026 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

Our campsite was amazing. Had space between sites not on top of each other. But kids on 4 wheelers kept circling the campsite. Got very annoying. Never did see the camp host .

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Todd A

Verified

July 6, 2026 Stayed at: 009, Loop: CEDR

.

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Luke D

Verified

June 30, 2026 Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP

Trails need to be one way as it is dangerous having 2 way traffic in many spots. We had 2 incidents while visiting. Place has potential to be safe and great simply needs designated trail directions.

Helpful

Wesley P

Verified

June 25, 2026 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

Your camp hosts are amazing. We loved our camp site. Trails were fun. Adding more 50 amp hookups should be priority.

Helpful

Wesley S

Verified

June 21, 2026 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

Good

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Dana G

Verified

June 21, 2026 Stayed at: 031, Loop: RVLP

A wonderful campground, very well maintained , very clean bathrooms

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Michael M

Verified

June 18, 2026 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

Campsites are well kept. Bathrooms were reasonably clean and easy to locate. Popular with ORV users who don't always abide by quiet hours regulations for no ORV use so can be noisy even past midnight.

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

Campground / RV park

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