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
22 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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
Richard S
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: CEDR
VER Nice campground. quite a few side by sides and ATVs, but they were relatively well behaved. And usually went up the road to the trails as soon as they got the engines started. NICe bathrooms clean and private.
Jerry C
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: HRWD
The park staff were very nice and extremely helpful. The park and facilities were very clean, even the pit toilets. Nice trails, really enjoyed taking pictures on the footbridge over the river. Enjoyed reading all the placards by the plants.
Patti C
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: RVLP
1st time camping here! Nice & quiet & very well maintained. We camped during the week to avoid so many ATVS & the noise.
Charles H
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: CEDR
Very nice
Mary Jane D
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CEDR
Quiet campground during the week after all the ATVs have left after the weekend. However, they are generally polite and shut down by dark unless they go out on night rides but still not excessively noisy. Love to just sit out, relax with the wind blowing through the pines . or walk to the lake to just enjoy nature Seem to be short of staff this summer but they are putting forth effort to keep the grounds looking nice and the bathhouse clean.
D.J. S
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CEDR
Pleasantly surprised in this campground. This is a hidden gem!!
Eve I
VerifiedJuly 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: RVLP
Nice campground, long walk to the showers from our spot, but that’s the only bad I can say.
Greg H
VerifiedAugust 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: CEDR
Campsites and bathrooms were clean, with park staff visible and working hard. Other campers were friendly. Interesting to see the park in transition back to grassland after the wildfires.
Linda L
VerifiedAugust 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HRWD
If you have an ATV this would be a good place to camp. If not, the noise & dust will drive you crazy! And - there is also a train nearby!
Also, the ticks were horrendous! We had to put out chairs under the 5th wheel overhang on the road to avoid them.
We tried to hike the trail, but it had burned in the past so there was nothing and no animals to see. It was hot, dry, and dusty. We will not be back.
Tom C
VerifiedAugust 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: RVLP
Beautiful campground in the Nebraska Sandhills. Campsites are well spaced, and most are very well shaded. The shower house is nice but unfortunately when we used it late at night it wasn’t very clean. My only recommendation would be to have a shower hose so you could clean/wash the floor down when in use. I also wish the spare truck/trailers could be parked in the site (if room allows on parking pad.) I understand if the sites are too small, but many are plenty big enough. Overall a great experience and a hidden gem!
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
