OutReserve

Bessey Recreation Complex

Warning

General

Stage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect

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

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. 

Number of accommodations: 22

Campground Amenities

  • Showers
    Showers
  • Dump Station
    Dump Station

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 open - Apr 1 to Oct 31

Sites & Availability

22 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: CEDR
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: HRWD
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: HRWD
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
016, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
018, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
019, Loop: HRWD
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: RVLP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: RVLP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 029, Loop: RVLP
No Hookups
$15.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 032, Loop: RVLP
50 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
038, Loop: CEDR
8 guests · Campfire
$15.00
/ per night

Reviews (114)

What Guests Are Saying

Bessey Recreation Complex is a beautiful campground in the Nebraska Sandhills, featuring well-maintained facilities, scenic views, and access to various outdoor activities like biking, fishing, and hiking. Many visitors appreciated the friendly staff and clean amenities, although some noted noise from ATVs and trains, which can disrupt the experience. Overall, it offers a great environment for outdoor enthusiasts, making it a popular choice for camping and recreation.

Review Summary

4.1
114 reviews
5
50.0%
57
4
25.4%
29
3
12.3%
14
2
7.9%
9
1
4.4%
5

Robert B

Verified

August 18, 2021 Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR

2

This campground is located adjacent to busy railroad tracks 24 hours a day. It's open forest canopy was welcome and our site was reasonably level. We were glad to have the electric hookup.

Cynthia K

Verified

August 9, 2021 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

5

We had 4 lots & enjoyed being close to each other. Everyone loved the trails. Bathrooms/showers were clean most of the time. The weekends they weren't as clean which was probably because no one cleaned then & a lot of people were using them. All in, a good time & good place to camp.

Peter V

Verified

August 7, 2021 Stayed at: 031, Loop: RVLP

5

The campground was very nice and shady. We were located fairly close to the dump station, but there was no smell which is always appreciated. The campground was quiet during night hours. Only negative was the constant trains and they are VERY loud.

Bob M

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD

5

Excellent campground in the middle of beautiful scenery. Do a river trip when in the area!!!

Dan M

Verified

August 4, 2021 Stayed at: 024, Loop: RVLP

5

Diane O

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: CEDR

5

Very nice park with good amenities. Facilities clean and well kept.

Deretta A

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

4

Beautiful campground. Plenty of trees and privacy. OHV / ATV noise for sure, and oh, yeah - the trains! Expect a train whistle every hour through the night.

Sharon B

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP

4

Campground is nice with a lot of shade and level gravel pads with picnic table and nice fire ring. We like the shower house set up with private shower and toilet rooms. They could be cleaned more frequently however. Overall a good experience in a lovely setting.

Gary V

Verified

July 12, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: RVLP

4

We had a very nice time. campground was very clean. there was some music that was too loud for my taste. would like to be able to drive side by side on some of the regular roads. set some speed limits. I don't think they had much traffic.

Jim K

Verified

July 3, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD

5

Beautiful campground we loved it! We were not impressed with the deep gravel in the camp site. It was on a slope so it was slick and hard to walk on. Also the neighboring campsite had 5 puppies in an outside kennel which was very annoying.

Location Bessey Recreation Complex

Address:
40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE, 69142
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 41.9006 / -100.299

Elevation: 828 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

The main restroom facilities and showers will be closed seasonally. Vault toliets are available year round. 

General

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. 

General

Keep off-road vehicles, cars and trailers on gravel. 

General

Off-road vehicles can only be ridden to the trailhead and back within the campground.

General

Double camping in sites is prohibited. No more than two tents per site. The group area is the exception. 

General

Only 2 cars may park at one campsite. The group area is the exception. 

General

Some sites are tent only. If you have a camper, please make sure you reserve a camper site. 

General

Campsite must be occupied the first night. 

General

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.

General

Horse corrals not available at the Bessey Recreation Complex. Horses are allowed and corrals are available at Natick and Whitetail Campgrounds. 

General

Click here for more information about the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

Warnings & Advisories

Warning

General

Stage 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in Effect

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations