OutReserve

Bessey Recreation Complex

Warning

General

Stage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect

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. 

Number of accommodations: 22

Campground Amenities

  • Showers
    Showers
  • Dump Station
    Dump Station

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

Sites & Availability

22 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: HRWD
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: HRWD
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
016, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
018, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
019, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: RVLP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 029, Loop: RVLP
No Hookups
$15.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 032, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
038, Loop: CEDR
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night

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.

Review Summary

4.1
114 reviews
5
50.0%
57
4
25.4%
29
3
12.3%
14
2
7.9%
9
1
4.4%
5

Dan M

Verified

July 22, 2022 Stayed at: 024, Loop: RVLP

5

0

Hayley K

Verified

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

3

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.

Pam V

Verified

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

5

Love the campground. Hope to come back again someday.

Karl E

Verified

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

5

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

Terry P

Verified

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

5

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 !!!

Judy L

Verified

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

5

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

Josh B

Verified

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

5

.

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.

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.

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.

Location Bessey Recreation Complex

Address:
40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE, 69142
United States

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

General

Stage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations