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

Terry P

Verified

July 1, 2021 Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP

Cellular Svc poor

Helpful

Steven B

Verified

July 1, 2021 Stayed at: 013, Loop: CEDR

There were a lot of ATV's throughout the campground and some of the owners were very inconsiderate of others camping there. They did not follow traffic rules and made a lot of noise long after dark. Several of the larger campers had 2 air conditioners running on 30 Amp service which caused the power to go out several times in the entire campground. Kudos to the ranger who finally shut them down so that the rest of us could still have power on some very hot days. The forest is beautiful and there are a lot of things to do in the area. The park was immaculate and workers very friendly. Excellent tour of the nursery. If you are from the city you may not like all the train noise since they do go by often. We were used to it so it wasn't an issue for us. All in all it was a great experience and would do it again. We would suggest going during the week and avoiding the weekends for a quieter visit.

Helpful

Bobbi A

Verified

July 1, 2021 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

We had so much fun here! There were lots of trails, a beautiful river and mulberry trees! We enjoyed a nice shower and the electrical hook ups were welcome after several days of no electric!

Helpful

Wyatt B

Verified

July 2, 2021 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

A great place to camp when wanting to ride atv trails

Helpful

Jim K

Verified

July 3, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

Beautiful campground we loved it! We were not impressed with the deep gravel in the camp site. It was on a slope so it was slick and hard to walk on. Also the neighboring campsite had 5 puppies in an outside kennel which was very annoying.

Helpful

Gary V

Verified

July 12, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

We had a very nice time. campground was very clean. there was some music that was too loud for my taste. would like to be able to drive side by side on some of the regular roads. set some speed limits. I don't think they had much traffic.

Helpful

Sharon B

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

Campground is nice with a lot of shade and level gravel pads with picnic table and nice fire ring. We like the shower house set up with private shower and toilet rooms. They could be cleaned more frequently however. Overall a good experience in a lovely setting.

Helpful

Deretta A

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

Beautiful campground. Plenty of trees and privacy. OHV / ATV noise for sure, and oh, yeah - the trains! Expect a train whistle every hour through the night.

Helpful

Diane O

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR

Very nice park with good amenities. Facilities clean and well kept.

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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Population: 13

Elevation: 2,697 ft

Halsey, NE

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