Warning
GeneralStage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect
About Bessey Recreation Complex
Number of accommodations: 22
Campground Amenities
-
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
22 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (114)
What Guests Are Saying
Bessey Recreation Complex is a beautiful campground in the Nebraska Sandhills, featuring well-maintained facilities, scenic views, and access to various outdoor activities like biking, fishing, and hiking. Many visitors appreciated the friendly staff and clean amenities, although some noted noise from ATVs and trains, which can disrupt the experience. Overall, it offers a great environment for outdoor enthusiasts, making it a popular choice for camping and recreation.
What Guests Are Saying
Bessey Recreation Complex is a beautiful campground in the Nebraska Sandhills, featuring well-maintained facilities, scenic views, and access to various outdoor activities like biking, fishing, and hiking. Many visitors appreciated the friendly staff and clean amenities, although some noted noise from ATVs and trains, which can disrupt the experience. Overall, it offers a great environment for outdoor enthusiasts, making it a popular choice for camping and recreation.
Review Summary
Mary Jane D
VerifiedJune 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CEDR
Have camped at Bessey for years and keep coming back. The camp spots are kept clean and repaired. Love drinking my coffee under the pines in the mornings. Thanks to all the people that worked to keep the fires of last fall from claiming the nursery and campground. Staff always helpful and polite. Missed a camp host this last trip. They are always a joy to visit with.
Joseph D
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD
Rangers and campers were extremely helpful and courteous! We will definitely be coming back to stay again.
Brian D
September 29, 2022
A nice reprieve from the Nebraska farmland and grass Sandhills. This small forested area is a hidden little gem.
Carol A
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
Enjoyed
Cynthia C
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP
Nice park we were a little close to our neighbor
Willem N
VerifiedAugust 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR
Exactly as described and better! Cole was excellent as our tour guide for the Nursery! Sandhills are massive just under 100,000 acres! Beautiful scenery from on top of the Ranger tower! Great times there and wished that we had more time!
Phillip B
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: RVLP
Great location, easily accessible. First site assigned didn't work for us as there was a semi-steep rise which would have caused our waste & exhaust pipes to drag had we pulled or backed fully into the site. We were quickly & easily reassigned with no issues. There were walking paths & a beautiful stream next to our site. The only drawback wee the showers/restrooms which were unacceptably dirty & wet on the floors. We have visited other Recreation.gov campgrounds & these facilities are never properly vented leaving them extremely hot in the summer. Bessy was no exception. In addition at Bessy there were many tent campers &, I believe, outside rafters using the facilities leaving dirt & mud on the floors. Even after seeing cleaners in the morning the condition wa not resolved
Geoffrey H
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
Nice campsite overall. We loved the river running right through the middle. Our boys and canine loved swimming in it during the heat of the afternoon. We enjoyed taking walks around the campsite and across the pedestrian bridge. We will camp here again the next time we visit this area of Nebraska.
Lori I
VerifiedJuly 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
Excellent site with some shade. Very nice facility with nice paths, picnic areas, etc. Only drawback was the proximity to train tracks and the need for the trains to blow their whistle as they went through an intersection. The traffic tapered off as the evening progressed, but none of the sites were exempt from the noise.
Tammy K
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP
Beautiful property with friendly staff.
Location Bessey Recreation Complex
Address:
40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE, 69142
United States
From Interstate 80, travel north from North Platte, Nebraska on U.S. Hwy 83 for 65 miles to Thedford, Nebraska. Continue East for 16 miles on Nebraska Hwy 2, then South .05 miles from Hwy 2 on State Spur 86B.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.9006 / -100.299
Elevation: 828 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
The main restroom facilities and showers will be closed seasonally. Vault toliets are available year round. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Keep off-road vehicles, cars and trailers on gravel. |
| General |
Off-road vehicles can only be ridden to the trailhead and back within the campground. |
| General |
Double camping in sites is prohibited. No more than two tents per site. The group area is the exception. |
| General |
Only 2 cars may park at one campsite. The group area is the exception. |
| General |
Some sites are tent only. If you have a camper, please make sure you reserve a camper site. |
| General |
Campsite must be occupied the first night. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Horse corrals not available at the Bessey Recreation Complex. Horses are allowed and corrals are available at Natick and Whitetail Campgrounds. |
| General |
Click here for more information about the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralStage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect
