Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates22 total sites
RV Sites
18 sites
Tent Sites
4 sites
About Bessey Recreation Complex
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
Rates, Sites & Availability
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22 Sites Available
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Reviews (142)
What Guests Are Saying
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.
What Guests Are Saying
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.
Review Summary
Sandra E
VerifiedJuly 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: CEDR
Workers were very rude. One heavy set blonde gal in particular. Instead of trying to have a conversation with us, she straight up yelled at us. You never know what someone may be going through so ALWAYS be kind. We couldn't go on the trails for 2 days because of down trees from a storm. All 10 plus workers were in the camp ground cutting down 1 downed tree in a campsite that had no occupants or any occupants coming in that day. The employees drove through camp well over the 10 mph speed limit. We've been going there for years, Bessy & whitetail have ALWAYS been packed with campers. We were there 8 days, 4 of those days were weekend days. There was hardly a soul ANYWHERE. There's very little for trails to ride the way it is. We won't be coming back until you decide to reopen some trails. Bubba/Ranger Bob didn't have 9 other workers helping him. He did it all and still made sure he rode the trails. 100 percent disappointed...
Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
Paul R
VerifiedAugust 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: RVLP
Great place to camp and ride ATVs. Staff has always been fantastic! Campground is well maintained and mowed. Middle Loup River runs right by campground. You can tube the river, its short trip, about hour or so but you can always go again. You can also fish from river or the fishing pond with a real nice fishing peer. Hiking, bike riding, ATVing, River tubing, fishing, star gazing, take a drive to just enjoy the sand hills are all things you can do. Horse riding (bring your own horse) is also available, there are 2 separate primitive campgrounds that are setup for horses. We have been going to Bessey Campground for years. I would recommend it. We are heartbroken that the 2 fires have really changed the forest, many, many trees destroyed. So please always be careful with campfires, have spark arresters on exhausts and carry a fire extinguisher on your ATVs, just be mindful of anything that would lead to an out of control fire. Especially when dry conditions exist.
Dustin L
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: CEDR
Beautiful campground. Relatively quiet considering the atv's. Will definitely stay again.
Richard G
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD
Nice clean small park. Not big rig friendly. There are many trees whose branches will scratch the sides of your rig as you move through the park. I would recommend a rig with a maximum length of 25 feet and height of 11 feet.
Cynthia H
VerifiedOctober 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP
Very interesting learning about the planted forest in the center of Nebraska.
Shane H
VerifiedJune 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: CEDR
It was a nice place to stay the staff was very friendly and helpful. With that said if you are wanting a quiet place to camp I would not recommend for this park favors the outdoors enthusiast that loves the OHV and ATV trails. I will also pass that we were there on a Holiday weekend. Happy Outdoors
Debbie C
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: CEDR
very nice campground, well maintained, quiet (except for trains, but we are used to that). Various types of sites depending on your needs. Thedford has nice restaurant, Sand HIlls Corral, which has good salad bar and very generous entrees.
Location Bessey Recreation Complex
Address:
40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE, 69142
United States
From Interstate 80, travel north from North Platte, Nebraska on U.S. Hwy 83 for 65 miles to Thedford, Nebraska. Continue East for 16 miles on Nebraska Hwy 2, then South .05 miles from Hwy 2 on State Spur 86B.
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.
Elevation: 828 feet
1.8 mi drive to downtown Halsey (about 3 min)
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: September 16, 2026
