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

Josh B

Verified

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

.

Helpful

Judy L

Verified

June 7, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: CEDR

Beautiful park. Secluded spots. Loved it. We loved the train going by at night.

Helpful

Terry P

Verified

June 24, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP

The Rangers and Staff are great !!!! Riding trails are the best !!! The facilities, camp sites, and over all appearance is very pristine. It is my favorite place to go !!!

Helpful

Karl E

Verified

July 1, 2022 Stayed at: 013, Loop: CEDR

The staff was very courteous and helpful. The spot was great. Loved getting back to the Sandhills.

Helpful

Pam V

Verified

July 5, 2022 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

Love the campground. Hope to come back again someday.

Helpful

Hayley K

Verified

July 9, 2022 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

This campground is absolutely gorgeous and the sites are large. BUT there is a train that runs through every hour or so throughout the night and there were people up partying well past midnight so it was quite loud. This is not a quiet campground.

Helpful

Tammy K

Verified

July 26, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: RVLP

Beautiful property with friendly staff.

Helpful

Lori I

Verified

July 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.

Helpful

Geoffrey H

Verified

August 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.

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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