RV Sites
Tent Sites
Rebecca T
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR
Beautiful park!! Stopped here on way
to South Dakota. Would definitely come here and stay again!
Helpful
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
Current season
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Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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Currently closed
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
🚐
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
⛺
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
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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
🚐
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: Oldest First
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...
Helpful
Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
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Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
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Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
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Lexi J
VerifiedAugust 14, 2024 Stayed at: 038, Loop: CEDR
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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.
Helpful
Dustin L
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2024 Stayed at: 003, Loop: CEDR
Beautiful campground. Relatively quiet considering the atv's. Will definitely stay again.
Helpful
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 ft and height of 11 ft.
Helpful
Cynthia H
VerifiedOctober 4, 2024 Stayed at: 023, Loop: RVLP
Very interesting learning about the planted forest in the center of Nebraska.
Helpful
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