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 131 reviews

Rosemary J

Verified

June 2, 2026 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

Reasonably pretty park and some nice sites. Construction going on and it’s kind of a big mess. One lane road with traffic light to get in and out. Giving 3 stars because of the filthy shower building/bathrooms. Everyone but us driving noisy ATVs around. Between that and constant train whistles this is not the place if you want peace and quiet.

Helpful

Patricia H

Verified

December 1, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

Lovely campground and friendly host. But off road vehicles driving too fast and racing motors
In the campground was very annoying. Spoiled our relaxing evening.

Helpful

Theodore T

Verified

October 21, 2025 Stayed at: 012, Loop: CEDR

Campsite was great. I felt like I was camping in the mountains but I was only 4 hours away from home.

Helpful

Vickie R

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Nathan V

Verified

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

Bathroom and showers were closed.

Helpful

Mona D

Verified

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

Very nice campground.

Helpful

DEYI J

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Kayla W

Verified

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

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

Helpful

Joy H

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Tom C

Verified

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

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!

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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