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

Gary T

Verified

September 9, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

4

Just stayed 1 night but the park was nice. No problems and the scenery was beautiful.

Kelsey W

September 10, 2021

5

Easy!

Phillip M

Verified

September 10, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

4

The National forest is AWESOME! We had a great time hiking, hunting and fishing. Grouse hunting in the sandhills to the west of the campsite was ok, not as good as expected. If you are going to grouse hunt be prepared to walk a lot. Fishing at the campsite was great, they have giant bluegill and catfish you can catch. Bring bug spray! All the park rangers are very friendly and want you to have a great say.

The only con is the campsite is very close to railroad tracks, and the trains run throughout the night and are loud.

I would stay again!

Paul S

Verified

September 13, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: HRWD

3

We thought we were on the trains all night long

Nice to have a camping area in upper Nebraska

Bathroom doors broken

Need another shower house

Jerry S

Verified

September 14, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR

3

Spacious camp sites in the Nebraska National Forrest. Beautiful river crossing. Clean bath house, hot water. Nearly every site shaded.

Loren E

September 15, 2021

5

Best place ever!

Lucas W

October 2, 2021

3

Very clean and modern campground. Also a hidden gem type of thing. Unfortunately very close to train track, as well as too less enforcement on noise levels after hours.
But other than that a great place to be. Sanitation was surprisingly clean and likely the cleanest I have been to.

John B

Verified

October 21, 2021 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

1

Do not stay here unless you likex staying up all night. Trains run every 15 to 20 minutes nearby. Also, it is an atv Park. The noise from riders dsnt quiet down til late. The sites were very nice. Noise is the downside here.

James F

October 29, 2021

2

This is a beautiful campground in a great location for travelers passing through. Unfortunately only the heaviest of sleepers will get much rest here. Even wearing earplugs inside of my RV I was awakened every hour during the night by the passing trains sounding their horns. This seems completely unnecessary given that the crossing is protected with barriers and the only traffic will be that accessing the campground or the USFS trails.

Josh B

Verified

December 21, 2021 Stayed at: 016, Loop: HRWD

5

.

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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