## 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Bessey Recreation Complex and campground is located in central Nebraska, adjacent to Middle Loup River, offering visitors <br><br>opportunities to enjoy the scenery, relax, and recreate. </p>
<p>Download the Recreation.gov app from your app store to pay online for first-come, first-serve sites. </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
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.<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Bessey Recreation Complex has camping sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, including one group site and several tent-only sites.  <br><br>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.  <br><br>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. </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District is located in western Nebraska.   <br><br>The campground within the Bessey Recreation Complex is located next to the Charles E. Bessey Nursery, oldest tree nursery in the Forest Service.   <br><br>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.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Drive or hike to the Scott Lookout Tower for a fantastic panoramic view of Nebraska's sand hills and prairies.

Bessey Picnic area located within the Bessey Recreation Complex near Halsey, NE.

Bessey Picnic Area

Bessey Fish Pond

Looking out the Entrance to the Bessey Recreation Complex

Nebraska National Forest, Bessy Ranger District

The Bessey Picnic Shelter, available for reservations year around.

Bessey Picnic Shelter

Bessey Ranger District and Nursery Office

Bessey Recreation Complex

## Overview

The Red Cloud Campground is located one mile south of Chadron State Park on
the west side of Highway 385. Situated in the middle of the Pine Ridge area,
the campground has 13 sites with picnic tables, parking pads, pedestal grills,
fire rings, and a vault toilet.

## Recreation

Access the nearby Pine Ridge Trail system via Outrider and Strong Canyon
trailheads. The Pine Ridge trail passes through a wide variety of landscapes
ranging from grassland, ponderosa pine forest, creek bottoms, canyons and open
ridges with views of the nearby buttes. Motorized trails can also be accessed
nearby at Strong Canyon trailhead, Spotted Tail trailhead, and the Cliffs
trailhead.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The Red Cloud Campground is located one mile south of Chadron State Park on the west side of Highway 385. Situated in the middle of the Pine Ridge area, the campground has 13 sites with picnic tables, parking pads, pedestal grills, fire rings, and a vault toilet.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Access the nearby Pine Ridge Trail system via Outrider and Strong Canyon trailheads. The Pine Ridge trail passes through a wide variety of landscapes ranging from grassland, ponderosa pine forest, creek bottoms, canyons and open ridges with views of the nearby buttes. Motorized trails can also be accessed nearby at Strong Canyon trailhead, Spotted Tail trailhead, and the Cliffs trailhead. </p>

$15/night/vehicle. $7.50/extra vehicle

Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to single
campsites ONLY.

*The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, no to any additional fees or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.*

Bird's eye view of the campground

Red Cloud (Ne) Nebraska Nf

## Overview

Roberts Tract Campground and Trailhead provides three camp sites with tables
and fire rings, an eight-paddock corral system, rider ramp and stock water.
The parking area has one site with a table and fire ring for those with horse
trailers or campers. Stock water is available, weather permitting. Certified
weed-free hay is required.

## Recreation

Roberts Loop Trail (2.5 miles) begins at the campground and provides access to
the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Pine Ridge Trail.

## Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (308) 432-0300.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Roberts Tract Campground and Trailhead provides three camp sites with tables and fire rings, an eight-paddock corral system, rider ramp and stock water. The parking area has one site with a table and fire ring for those with horse trailers or campers. Stock water is available, weather permitting. Certified weed-free hay is required.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Roberts Loop Trail (2.5 miles) begins at the campground and provides access to the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Pine Ridge Trail.</p>

<h2>Contact Info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (308) 432-0300.

Roberts Tract (Ne) Nebraska Nf

## Overview

Soldier Creek Campground is adjacent to Soldier Creek Wilderness Area and Fort
Robinson State Park. This spacious campground has eight sites with picnic
tables and fire rings, and it is large enough to accommodate horse trailers or
RVs. There is a hand pump well providing drinking water, vault toilets,
garbage cans and a large 15-paddock corral system with a round pen. Livestock
feed is not available. Certified weed-free hay is required, and stock water
must be hauled to the corral from nearby creeks or hand pump.

## Recreation

The Soldier Creek Wilderness is adjecent to the campground which contains two
popular trails. The Boots & Saddle Trail is 7.1 miles and is accessed from the
North Fork Trailhead. The trail ties into the Trooper Trail. Trooper Trail
Loop is 9.7 miles and is accessed from the Middle and South Fork Trailheads
located in the campground. Trail brochures are available at the campground.

## Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (308) 432-0300.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Soldier Creek Campground is adjacent to Soldier Creek Wilderness Area and Fort Robinson State Park. This spacious campground has eight sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and it is large enough to accommodate horse trailers or RVs. There is a hand pump well providing drinking water, vault toilets, garbage cans and a large 15-paddock corral system with a round pen.  Livestock feed is not available. Certified weed-free hay is required, and stock water must be hauled to the corral from nearby creeks or hand pump.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The Soldier Creek Wilderness is adjecent to the campground which contains two popular trails. The Boots & Saddle Trail is 7.1 miles and is accessed from the North Fork Trailhead. The trail ties into the Trooper Trail. Trooper Trail Loop is 9.7 miles and is accessed from the Middle and South Fork Trailheads located in the campground. Trail brochures are available at the campground. </p>

<h2>Contact Info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (308) 432-0300.

Soldier Creek (Ne) Nebraska Nf

## Overview

Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska,
Toadstool Geologic Park is a stark, other-worldly landscape unlike any place
in Nebraska. Its name was inspired by the narrow clay pedestals topped with
slabs of sandstone that resemble toadstool mushrooms. It is one of the most
memorable places in the grassland with its unique layers, formations, and
scientifically valuable fossil deposits. Toadstool is a key link in
understanding the earth's history from 38 to 24 million years ago. Formed by
mostly volcanic ash and alluvial river deposits, geologists consider it the
"type section for the White River Geologic Group", meaning that all other
similar-aged deposits in North America are compared to the geological standard
designated at Toadstool.

The campground consists of twelve campsites with picnic tables, fire rings,
upright grills, and two accessible vault toilets. There is no water.

Special features: In 1984 the Forest Service constructed a sod house in the
campground near the site of a sod house built in 1929. The new "soddie"
provides a look into the past when homesteaders on the grasslands used the
only abundant material available. The original sod house was lived in briefly
before being abandoned and signs of the original structure no longer exist.

## Recreation

The trailhead at the campground provides access to three hiking trails each
with varying degrees of difficulty. A one mile interpretive loop highlights
many examples of eroded clay/sandstone formations. While on the trail, follow
our brochure to learn the fascinating geology of the area.

The Bison Trail leaves the interpretive loop at the half way point and
continues up the canyon to the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center.
Toadstool Campground to Hudson Meng is 3 miles one way.

A five mile loop begins at the campground and proceeds on the graveled section
of the interpretive trail for a short distance before heading north through
the badlands and grasslands on the Great Plains Trail. After 1.5 miles the
Great Plains Trail intersects with the 918 Road. Follow the signs to return to
the Bison Trail and Toadstool Campground. The loop can be done in reverse
going the other direction on the interpretive trail as you leave the
campground.

The Great Plains Trail, developed by the Great Plains Trail Alliance, is a
cross country network of public land trails and roads beginning in Guadalupe
National Park and ending at the Canadian border. The Bison Trail, 918 Road,
and part of the 5 mile loop are part of this network. Information on the Great
Plains Trail can be found at www.greatplainstrail.org

## Facilities

Two vault toilets.

## Nearby Attractions

Hudson Meng Education and Research Center

Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska,
the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center houses one of the most important
paleo-archeological discoveries in North America. Visitors can tour the
bonebed enclosure and discover the mysterious past of the Bison antiquus
(extinct bison) that died here.

A rancher first brought attention to the bonebed in 1954. This started an
ongoing quest to discover what caused the death of so many bison.
Archeologists continue to research the exact nature of past events and the
role ancient Paleo-Indian people may have played in them. While theories are
plentiful, there is still no clear answer to the mystery. The Hudson-Meng
Education and Research Center’s Bison Bonebed Tour encourages visitors to
develop their own ideas based on the evidence presented.

The Bison Trail connects the Hudson-Meng visitor center to Toadstool Geologic
Park. This is an unforgettable three-mile (one way) hike across the Oglala
Grassland. Toadstool Geologic Park is well-known for its unusual rock
formations and fossils. The natural history dates as far back as 30 million
years ago. The site is located in the shadow of Nebraska's picturesque Pine
Ridge, overlooking the Oglala and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands and north to
the Black Hills of South Dakota.

If you make a discovery on a national grassland or national forest, make sure
of its location and report it right away to the nearest Forest Service office.

https://youtu.be/wM7gKaUP2dw

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska, Toadstool Geologic Park is a stark, other-worldly landscape unlike any place in Nebraska. Its name was inspired by the narrow clay pedestals topped with slabs of sandstone that resemble toadstool mushrooms. It is one of the most memorable places in the grassland with its unique layers, formations, and scientifically valuable fossil deposits. Toadstool is a key link in understanding the earth's history from 38 to 24 million years ago. Formed by mostly volcanic ash and alluvial river deposits,  geologists consider it the "type section for the White River Geologic Group", meaning that all other similar-aged deposits in North America are compared to the geological standard designated at Toadstool.</p>
<p>The campground consists of twelve campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, upright grills, and two accessible vault toilets. There is no water. </p>
<p>Special features: In 1984 the Forest Service constructed a sod house in the campground near the site of a sod house built in 1929.  The new "soddie" provides a look into the past when homesteaders on the grasslands used the only abundant material available. The original sod house was lived in briefly before being abandoned and signs of the original structure no longer exist.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The trailhead at the campground provides access to three hiking trails each with varying degrees of difficulty. A one mile interpretive loop highlights many examples of eroded clay/sandstone formations. While on the trail, follow our brochure to learn the fascinating geology of the area.</p>
<p>The Bison Trail leaves the interpretive loop at the half way point and continues up the canyon to the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center. Toadstool Campground to Hudson Meng is 3 miles one way.</p>
<p> A five mile loop begins at the campground and proceeds on the graveled section of the interpretive trail for a short distance before heading north through the badlands and grasslands on the Great Plains Trail. After 1.5 miles the Great Plains Trail intersects with the 918 Road. Follow the signs to return to the Bison Trail and Toadstool Campground. The loop can be done in reverse going the other direction on the interpretive trail as you leave the campground.</p>
<p>The Great Plains Trail, developed by the Great Plains Trail Alliance, is a cross country network of public land trails and roads beginning in Guadalupe National Park and ending at the Canadian border. The Bison Trail, 918 Road, and part of the 5 mile loop are part of this network. Information on the Great Plains Trail can be found at www.greatplainstrail.org  </p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Two vault toilets.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Hudson Meng Education and Research Center </p>
<p>Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska, the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center houses one of the most important paleo-archeological discoveries in North America. Visitors can tour the bonebed enclosure and discover the mysterious past of the Bison antiquus (extinct bison) that died here.</p>
<p>A rancher first brought attention to the bonebed in 1954. This started an ongoing quest to discover what caused the death of so many bison. Archeologists continue to research the exact nature of past events and the role ancient Paleo-Indian people may have played in them. While theories are plentiful, there is still no clear answer to the mystery. The Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center’s Bison Bonebed Tour encourages visitors to develop their own ideas based on the evidence presented.</p>
<p>The Bison Trail connects the Hudson-Meng visitor center to Toadstool Geologic Park. This is an unforgettable three-mile (one way) hike across the Oglala Grassland. Toadstool Geologic Park is well-known for its unusual rock formations and fossils. The natural history dates as far back as 30 million years ago. The site is located in the shadow of Nebraska's picturesque Pine Ridge, overlooking the Oglala and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands and north to the Black Hills of South Dakota. </p>
<p>If you make a discovery on a national grassland or national forest, make sure of its location and report it right away to the nearest Forest Service office. </p>
<p>https://youtu.be/wM7gKaUP2dw</p>

Entrance into the Toadstool Campground with badlands in the background.

Toadstool camp site with badlands in the background.

Toadstool (Ne) Nebraska Nf

Bird's eye view of the park

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

Box Butte Dam and reservoir are features of the Mirage Flats Project.
Recreation is managed for the Bureau of Reclamation by the Nebraska Game and
Parks. Water is stored in Box Butte Reservoir, Mirage Flats Project, on the
Niobrara River about 10 miles north of Hemingford, Nebraska. The reservoir
lies in the arid western Niobrara River Valley in the northwestern section of
the Nebraska Panhandle. The reservoir is surrounded by dense cottonwood and
willow trees. It is easily one of the best birding areas in the Panhandle.
Sightings since 1973 has produced a list of over 200 species.Reservoir open 24
hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year-round. Available species
include northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and channel
catfish. This is an irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor water level
fluctuations. The reservoir has 1,600 water surface acres, 612 land acres and
14 miles of shoreline. There are locations suitable for picnicking around the
lakeshore. Current Reservoir Levels

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Box+Butte+Dam" rel="nofollow">Box Butte Dam</a> and reservoir are features of the Mirage Flats Project. Recreation is managed for the Bureau of Reclamation by the Nebraska Game and Parks.  Water is stored in Box Butte Reservoir, Mirage Flats Project,  on the Niobrara River about 10 miles north of Hemingford, Nebraska. The reservoir lies in the arid western Niobrara River Valley in the northwestern section of the Nebraska Panhandle. The reservoir is surrounded by dense cottonwood and willow trees.  It is easily one of the best birding areas in the Panhandle.  Sightings since 1973 has produced a list of over 200 species.Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and channel catfish. This is an irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor water level fluctuations. The reservoir has 1,600 water surface acres, 612 land acres and 14 miles of shoreline.  There are locations suitable for picnicking around the lakeshore. <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_bbne.pl" rel="nofollow">Current Reservoir Levels</a>

Visitors on the front lawn of the Frederick Douglass NHS.

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

Directions

Reviews

Campgrounds

Bessey Recreation Complex

Red Cloud (Ne) Nebraska Nf

Roberts Tract (Ne) Nebraska Nf

Soldier Creek (Ne) Nebraska Nf

Toadstool (Ne) Nebraska Nf

Nearby Parks

Box Butte Reservoir