Bessey Recreation Complex

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

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

22 total sites

RV Sites

18 sites

Tent Sites

4 sites

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. 

Number of accommodations: 22

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 open - Apr 1 to Oct 31

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 real-time availability for each site.

22 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 004, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 006, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 009, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 010, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 011, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 012, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 013, Loop: CEDR RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 014, Loop: HRWD RV
Electric Only
🚐 015, Loop: HRWD RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
016, Loop: HRWD Tent
8 guests · Campfire
018, Loop: HRWD Tent
8 guests · Campfire
019, Loop: HRWD Tent
8 guests · Campfire
🚐 023, Loop: RVLP RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 024, Loop: RVLP RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 025, Loop: RVLP RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 028, Loop: RVLP RV
Electric Only
🚐 029, Loop: RVLP RV
No Hookups
🚐 030, Loop: RVLP RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 031, Loop: RVLP RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
🚐 032, Loop: RVLP RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
038, Loop: CEDR Tent
8 guests · Campfire

Reviews (142)

What Guests Are Saying

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.

Review Summary

4.1
142 reviews
5
50.7%
72
4
26.1%
37
3
12.0%
17
2
7.7%
11
1
3.5%
5

Vickie R

Verified

October 15, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

5

Great place, good showers, nice trees, right near the river but those trains.....they roll through and honk their horns about every hour.....all night long.

Nathan V

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP

2

Bathroom and showers were closed.

Mona D

Verified

October 10, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

4

Very nice campground.

DEYI J

Verified

October 4, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

5

Nice and clean campground. Well kept and shaded site with electrical outlets. There are free hot showers as well. Only issue is constant train noises.

Kayla W

Verified

October 3, 2025 Stayed at: 009, Loop: CEDR

5

It was the perfect place for our wedding!!!!

Joy H

Verified

August 18, 2025 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

3

We arrived after dark and left early the next morning so our experience with this campground was very limited. However, Upon arrival around 9pm, 3 young boys were riding motor cross bikes in the camping loop. While our site was a large pull through, the other sites were very small and crowded together. At best, this campground provided a safe camping spot with full hookup in a very rural area of Nebraska. On a positive note, we thoroughly enjoyed taking the old highway route across the Sand Hills of Nebraska. We did not get to meet any of the campground staff.

Tom C

Verified

August 12, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

4

Beautiful campground in the Nebraska Sandhills. Campsites are well spaced, and most are very well shaded. The shower house is nice but unfortunately when we used it late at night it wasn’t very clean. My only recommendation would be to have a shower hose so you could clean/wash the floor down when in use. I also wish the spare truck/trailers could be parked in the site (if room allows on parking pad.) I understand if the sites are too small, but many are plenty big enough. Overall a great experience and a hidden gem!

Linda L

Verified

August 4, 2025 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

2

If you have an ATV this would be a good place to camp. If not, the noise & dust will drive you crazy! And - there is also a train nearby!
Also, the ticks were horrendous! We had to put out chairs under the 5th wheel overhang on the road to avoid them.
We tried to hike the trail, but it had burned in the past so there was nothing and no animals to see. It was hot, dry, and dusty. We will not be back.

Greg H

Verified

August 2, 2025 Stayed at: 009, Loop: CEDR

5

Campsites and bathrooms were clean, with park staff visible and working hard. Other campers were friendly. Interesting to see the park in transition back to grassland after the wildfires.

Eve I

Verified

July 30, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: RVLP

4

Nice campground, long walk to the showers from our spot, but that’s the only bad I can say.

Location Bessey Recreation Complex

Address:
40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE, 69142
United States

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.

Elevation: 828 feet

Distance to downtown

1.8 mi drive to downtown Halsey (about 3 min)

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: September 16, 2026

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