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Bessey Recreation Complex

40637 River Loop, Halsey, Nebraska, United States

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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

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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

RV Sites 18 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 4 sites Check Availability

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

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Rates, Sites & Availability

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22 Sites Available

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🚐 003, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 55 ft long · Gravel

🚐 004, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 58 ft long · Gravel

🚐 006, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 52 ft long · Gravel

🚐 009, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 41 ft long · Gravel

🚐 010, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 46 ft long · Paved

🚐 011, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 012, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 28 ft long · Gravel

🚐 013, Loop: CEDR RV

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30 amp · 39 ft long · Gravel

🚐 014, Loop: HRWD RV

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80 ft long · Paved · Pull-through

🚐 015, Loop: HRWD RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 ft long

⛺ 016, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 018, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

⛺ 019, Loop: HRWD Tent

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Gravel · Campfire · Full shade

🚐 023, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel

🚐 024, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 37 ft long · Gravel

🚐 025, Loop: RVLP RV

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30 amp · 48 ft long · Gravel

🚐 028, Loop: RVLP RV

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64 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 029, Loop: RVLP RV

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38 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

🚐 030, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 ft long

🚐 031, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 ft long

🚐 032, Loop: RVLP RV

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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel

⛺ 038, Loop: CEDR Tent

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Paved · Campfire · Full shade

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Site Details

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22 Sites Available

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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

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

Oldest First

Newest First Oldest First

Phillip B

Verified

August 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

Helpful

Willem N

Verified

August 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!

Helpful

Cynthia C

Verified

September 9, 2022 Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP

Nice park we were a little close to our neighbor

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Carol A

Verified

September 9, 2022 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

Enjoyed

Helpful

Brian D

September 29, 2022

A nice reprieve from the Nebraska farmland and grass Sandhills. This small forested area is a hidden little gem.

Helpful

Joseph D

Verified

June 5, 2023 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

Rangers and campers were extremely helpful and courteous! We will definitely be coming back to stay again.

Helpful

Mary Jane D

Verified

June 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.

Helpful

Whitney G

Verified

June 21, 2023 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

Scenic with river and trees. Our campsite was pull through and spacious. Would definitely stay here again.

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Drew F

Verified

June 25, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: CEDR

The complex was beautiful. My only problem was that the site they gave me was extremely unlevel and it was almost unusable for a travel trailer. It took almost 30 leveling blocks to just get it "close enough".

Helpful

Jerome K

Verified

July 10, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: CEDR

The local Forrest Ranger (Bubba) was Excellent in his assistance with our needs, as always.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Bessey Recreation Complex

40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142 United States

Elevation: 828 ft

Map of Bessey Recreation Complex location at Halsey, NE, United States

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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

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Holiday RV Park

North Platte, NE

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Fishberry Campground and RV Park

Prairie View RV Park

Campground / RV park

Prairie View RV Park

Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Halsey

2 mi away

Explore destination

Dunning

11 mi away

Explore destination

Thedford

15 mi away

Last updated: November 3, 2026

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Explore Halsey, NE

Population: 13

Elevation: 2,697 ft

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Halsey, NE

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service