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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Nebraska · first-come in Nebraska · reservable in Nebraska · big rigs in Nebraska · pets allowed in Nebraska · group sites in Nebraska
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 28 |
| Tent-only | 14 |
| Standard, no hookups | 4 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
| group standard electric | 1 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
48 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRP01 | BESSEY RECREATION | Group Standard Electric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 150 / 15 | Yes | Yes | |
| BESSEY PICNIC SHELTER | BESSEY RECREATION | Group Shelter Electric | Paved | Partial | 20 amp | 50 / – | Yes | Yes | |||
| 002 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | CEDR | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 006 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 007 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 008 | CEDR | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 009 | CEDR | Electric | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites GRP01, BESSEY PICNIC SHELTER, 028, 030 and 5 more are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year Round |
| Forest | Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands |
| Booking | Roughly half the campsites can be reserved through recreation.gov starting in mid-May. Reservations are accepted 4 or more days ahead of arrival. |
| Fees | Non-electric sites are $15.00 per night. Electric sites are $20.00 per night. The group campground, which has 11 electric hookups, is $125.00 per night. Picnic shelter is $25 per day. Day use $5 per day. |
| Rules | Off-road vehicles may be ridden from campsites to the trailhead, but no cruising around the campground please. Parking ATVs and side-by-sides in your paid campsite is allowed. No showers are available during winter, approximately from mid-October to mid-May. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Halsey, Nebraska |
| Coordinates | 41.9006° N, 100.2991° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Video
Bessey Recreation Complex, NE
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miScott Lookout ↗3 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.9 miDismal River Trail ↗9.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.8 miPowerline Trail2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.8 miPoison Ivy Trail2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.1 miFenceline Trail1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
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.
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.
Nearby
Drive or hike to the Scott Lookout Tower for a fantastic panoramic view of Nebraska's sand hills and prairies.
Guidebooks for Nebraska and camping across the country
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bessey Recreation Complex?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Bessey Recreation Complex?
Non-electric sites are $15.00 per night. Electric sites are $20.00 per night. The group campground, which has 11 electric hookups, is $125.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bessey Recreation Complex?
Check-in 0:00 PM, checkout 0:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Bessey Recreation Complex open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year Round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Bessey Recreation Complex have?
51 sites, including 28 standard sites with power, 14 tent-only sites, 4 standard sites without power, and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bessey Recreation Complex?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Bessey Recreation Complex have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Bessey Recreation Complex?
The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, seasonal flush toilets and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bessey Recreation Complex?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Off-road vehicles may be ridden from campsites to the trailhead, but no cruising around the campground please.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Bessey Recreation Complex?
Sites GRP01, BESSEY PICNIC SHELTER, 028, and 030 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 9 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Bessey Recreation Complex?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map