Bessey Recreation Complex

Show on map (308) 533-2257 (NO RESERVATION INFO AVAILABLE AT THIS NUMBER)

40637 River Loop
Halsey, NE 69142

Notice

Shower house will be closed Oct 26, 2026 until spring. Campground is open year-round. Campsites, with the exception of group, are first come, first served until May 2, 2026.

Oct 21, 2026 – Apr 16, 2027

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.

Camp site features

Across 47 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 28 of 47 sites
Fire pit: 6 of 47 sites
Picnic table: 18 of 47 sites
Pets allowed: 11 of 47 sites
ADA accessible: 8 of 47 sites
Group sites: 1 of 47 sites
Longest RV: 50 ft
Largest party: 150 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: CAR, CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, SMALL TENT, Tent, Trailer, VEHICLE

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 2 PM.

Reviews

155 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Eric N

Loop:All

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

Great site with easy access off the main road.

Debra S

Loop:Cedr

Site:

Reviewed 22 days ago

Beautiful campground with nice trails around the lake. Nice bathrooms with Pay showers and laundry. Everything was clean and well maintained. the reservoir is very low.

Dave M

Loop:Cedr

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Excellent camping experience.

Patricia R

Loop:Hrwd

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

First time here and it was wonderful. I would definitely camp here in the future. The hosts were marvelous and helpful. I was here to hunt sharp tail with my dog and the biologist at the Ranger Station was excellent. We found birds. The Sandhill Corral restaurant was recommended and I purchased a meal on 3 occasions. Yum! I chose Site 15. This site was just enough for my 25' camper & F250. It was shaded for my dogs and close to the showers. Level it out a bit and then it would be perfect. Thank you NE for this lovely facility.

Ron M

Loop:Cedr

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

A beautiful place to relax!

Roger W

Loop:Rvlp

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Site 25 was o.k. Was able to hear the train, but was not too close or annoying. Only noticed it a couple times. Was a fairly short walk to the river. Plenty of walking trails in the area. Shower house was nice.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 2% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 3 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

May 2, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 2, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

Availability not checked yet

We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .

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