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 157 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Oldest First
Daniel M
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
Very impressed with OHV trails. Beautiful. Well maintained campground. Absolutely a great place to camp and explore.
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Pam V
VerifiedAugust 15, 2023 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
We've camped here before and loved it this time just as much as the other times.
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Matthew L
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR
We had so much fun riding 4 wheelers. It’s sad how many trees have been lost and the uncertainty of them being replaced.
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Jesse C
VerifiedAugust 28, 2023 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP
Very clean and beautiful campground. Only stayed one night in a 50 amp site near the river. We loved the site even though we did not have water or sewer connections. Works very well for a short stay in our 37 ft. Jayco fifth wheel.
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william h
VerifiedAugust 31, 2023 Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP
Loud trains all day & night. Very crowded with ATV's. Some sites had 7 tents with 5-6 trucks.
Lots of young kids driving the ATV's without supervision through the campground. No camp host.
No noise control, ATV's were up & down the roads until 2:30am. Would never go back here.
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Anna M
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2023 Stayed at: 003, Loop: CEDR
Loved camping there. We had paid for the whole weekend and ended up moving closer to family. It was a lot easier for the last day there.
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Judy B
VerifiedOctober 6, 2023 Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP
The sandhills area of NE is interesting to see. Except for this planted forest, there are few trees. The complex has an informative visitor center, sports court, dump station, and large clean private showers. They raise millions of seedlings every year to replant parks and national monuments all over the US. There are some hiking trails. The area experienced a devastating fire last year which is evident near the Scott lookout tower. There is excellent 5G cell coverage from Verizon in the campground. The sites are located in full shade. There is electricity at the sites, but water is from hydrants. I recommend the area for its interesting history. One caution is that it isn't far from the railroad tracks and coal trains rubble by day and night. They aren't noticeable during the day but at night you may want earplugs.
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Robert D
November 4, 2023
Beautiful quiet location!
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Billie B
November 7, 2023
The weather was not as nice as we hoped, but that is all on mother nature. The trails and campground were great and we hope to go back again in the spring!
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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