RV Sites
Tent Sites
Roger H
VerifiedJuly 14, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: CEDR
Very nice area, just don’t be surprised by the trains passing throughout the entire night.
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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 sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
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Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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22 Sites Available
🚐
003, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 55 ft long · Gravel
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004, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 58 ft long · Gravel
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006, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 52 ft long · Gravel
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009, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 41 ft long · Gravel
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010, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 46 ft long · Paved
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011, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel
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012, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 28 ft long · Gravel
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013, Loop: CEDR
RV
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30 amp · 39 ft long · Gravel
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014, Loop: HRWD
RV
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80 ft long · Paved · Pull-through
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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
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018, Loop: HRWD
Tent
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Paved · Campfire · Full shade
⛺
019, Loop: HRWD
Tent
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Gravel · Campfire · Full shade
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023, Loop: RVLP
RV
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30 amp · 30 ft long · Gravel
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024, Loop: RVLP
RV
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30 amp · 37 ft long · Gravel
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025, Loop: RVLP
RV
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30 amp · 48 ft long · Gravel
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028, Loop: RVLP
RV
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64 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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029, Loop: RVLP
RV
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38 ft long · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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030, Loop: RVLP
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 ft long
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031, Loop: RVLP
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 ft long
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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
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
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
157 reviews
Summary
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 131 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Jerome K
VerifiedJuly 10, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: CEDR
The local Forrest Ranger (Bubba) was Excellent in his assistance with our needs, as always.
Helpful
Drew F
VerifiedJune 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".
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Whitney G
VerifiedJune 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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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.
Helpful
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.
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Carol A
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
Enjoyed
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Cynthia C
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP
Nice park we were a little close to our neighbor
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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!
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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
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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.
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.
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Last updated: November 3, 2026
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Halsey, NE
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service