Established Camping

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

13 Reviews

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RESERVATION INFORMATION: Half the campsites are reservable, the other half are first-come, first-served. Campsites are reservable six months in advance. Campsite reservations may be made for dates between May 15 through Oct 15. All other dates are first-come, first-served. Please read individual campsite information carefully, as it has been updated.

About

USDA Forest Service

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

Overview

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.__

Recreation

Waterfront activities are popular and plentiful at this facility. Adjacent to the campground, Middle Loup River is shallow and steady flowing, providing good conditions for tubing and canoeing. A seven acre pond stocked with largemouth bass, blue gill, trout and catfish offers great fishing for the whole family. There is also an accessible fishing pier.

Facilities

Bessey Recreation Complex has camping sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, including one group site and several tent-only sites. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, seasonal flush toilets and drinking water. Electric hookups are available at the group site and several of the standard sites. A group picnic area is also available for use. Restaurants, gas stations and a grocery store are available in Thedford, Nebraska, 16 miles to the west. Halsey also has a restaruant, and Dunning 10 miles east has a gas station with groceries.__

Natural Features

The Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District is located in western Nebraska. The campground within the Bessey Recreation Complex is located next to the Charles E. Bessey Nursery, oldest tree nursery in the Forest Service. Wildlife in the area abounds. Prairie chicken, sharp-tailed grouse, mule-deer, whitetailed deer, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, turkeys, coyotes, bobwhite quail, eagles, hawks and falcons all find habitat in surrounding ecosystems.

Nearby Attractions

Drive or hike to the Scott Lookout Tower for a fantastic panoramic view of Nebraska's sand hills and prairies.

Fee Info

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Rent an RV near Halsey, Nebraska

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Dwayne and Heather W.

Guide

Reviewed May. 30, 2023

Great little campground !

Very nice little campground. Well manicured. Nice tent camping pads. Spots are well shaded. Has modern bathroom with FREE showers. Has primitive toilets scattered everywhere. Have walking, Jeep, ATV trails all over. Nice little pond to catch a few fish. Overall a very nice spot. A little noisy during the day with all the ATV traffic, but nice and quiet at night!

Sitehardwood rd area

Month of VisitAugust

(5) View All

we r D.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 16, 2023

Noisy

Trains ran all night every hour, maybe more, and blasted us each time. In the morning we were surrounded anf deafened by atv activity- we couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Month of VisitJuly

Brian G.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 22, 2022

A hidden gem

This is a nice little campground in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Campsites are spaced apart nicely over three loops and many of the sites offer electric hookups. There are numerous water spigots around the campground and there’s also a dump station. The campground has hot showers, a basketball court and horseshoe pits available. A vending machine is located by the registration kiosks. Make sure to bring whatever you need with you because there isn’t much in Thedford or Halsey.

There are lots of OHV trails in the area or there’s also a 2.5 mile hiking trail that leads to a fire lookout tower that’s open to public access.

Be aware that there is a railway crossing at the turnoff from Route 2 so you will hear trains and train horns.

Location

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground is located in Nebraska

Directions

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.