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Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground
For Reservations call (877) 444-6777 or go to recreation.gov. Here is a flyer that describes what sites are reservable and here is a map of the Bessey Recreation Complex. Please note that these are subject to change.
The Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground is home to the world's largest hand-planted forest. It is located in central Nebraska's Sandhills, adjacent to the Middle Loup River. It is a popular camping stop for cross-country travelers as well as a local favorite, with many people returning every year to enjoy the scenery, relax, and recreate. Things to do here are:
- Trail ride ATVs or side-by-sides
- Drive or hike to the Scott Lookout Tower
- Swim in the Middle Loup River
- Fish at the Bessey Fish Pond
- Play basketball
- Ride bicycles
- Tent or RV Camp
- Watch birds and other wildlife
- Have a cookout in the park
A general store with food, camping, and ATV/UTV supplies is located in Halsey, about 1 mile east of the Forest's entrance. Restaurants, gas stations and a grocery store are available in Thedford, Nebraska, 17 miles to the west.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Camping is available all year. During winter, the only potable water is at the recreation building. Fire rings are provided. Please burn only local wood to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Campsites must be occupied. Check-out time is 2 pm central time. |
| Reservations: | From the last week of May through the first week of September, about half of the sites are available by reservation. Reservations are accepted 4 or more days ahead of arrival. Any other time of the year, or if less than 4 days in advance, sites are first-come, first-served. The other half of the sites are first-come, first-served. The Group Campground is reservable up to 12 months in advance for the entire year (not just May - September). So far we haven't had to turn anyone away because we have an overflow area. |
| Area Amenities: | Interpretive Site, Accessible, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| 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. |
| Open Season: | Year Round |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | Thursday - Monday, April through mid-November |
| Restrictions: | 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. |
| Closest Towns: | Halsey (1 mile east); Dunning (10 miles east); Thedford (17 miles west) |
| Water: | Yes |
| Restroom: | Yes, vault toilets all year and flush toilets in summer months |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
General Information
Directions:GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.90061, -100.29914
41°54'2"N, 100°17'57"W
From Interstate 80, in North Platte, travel north on U.S. Highway 83 for 65 miles to Thedford, Nebraska. Continue east for 17 miles on Nebraska Highway 2. At the national forest sign, turn south onto State Spur 86B.
Accessibility:
Accessible fishing access, flush toilets, picnic area, and most campsites.
Parking:
Parking is available at the main office and in the gravel parking lot south of the office.
Activities
Mountain Biking
The main campground serves as a starting point for mountain biking. Extra fat tire bicycles are recommended if going off pavement.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation: | Best when the ground is slightly wet or frozen; most challenging when the sand is soft and dry. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
Campground Camping
This campground has 40 campsites for tents or RVs. Twenty-nine of them have electric hook-ups with 20, 30, or 50 amp pedestals. The roads are paved. Individual water hookups are not available. Most sites are back-in sites. Most sites are in full shade.
Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or use the web at www.recreation.gov.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $15 for nonelectric, $20 for electric sites |
RV Camping
This campground has 40 campsites for tents or RVs. Twenty-four of them have electric hook-ups with 20, 30, or 50 amp pedestals. The paved spurs for RVs are from 27 to 40 feet long. All roads are paved. Individual water hookups are not available. Most sites are back-in sites. Most sites are in full shade.
| Status: | Open |
|---|
Group Camping
The group site has 11 electrical hookups with lots of space for tents. It has its own picnic shelter and dumpster and is close to the vault toilets.
| Fees: | $75.00 per night |
|---|
Lake and Pond Fishing
The Bessey fish pond has an accessible pier and a vault toilet. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regularly stocks the pond with various species of fish.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $3.00 parking fee |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Day Hiking
From the campground, hike the 3 mile trail to the Scott Lookout Tower, which was renovated in 2011. From the tower, enjoy a 360-degree view of the grasslands and hand-planted forest.
Day hiking is available anywhere in the forest.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Viewing Wildlife
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Viewing Scenery
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
OHV Camping
All campsites at the Bessey Campground accommodate ATVs, side-by-sides, and motorcycles.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
OHV Trail Riding
The district has approximately 33 miles of motorized trails for vehicles 64 inches wide or less.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
Picnicking
There is a $5.00 day use fee per vehicle. Annual passes cost $20 and can be purchased at the main office.
Group Picnicking
Picnic shelter may be reserved for $25.00 per day at recreation.gov. It has lights, tables, and electrical outlets to accommodate your gatherings.
Amenities
| Interpretive Site: | Discovery Loup Arboretum |
|---|---|
| Camping trailer: | Check recreation.gov for length of sites |
| Picnic tables: | At each site |
| Tent camping: | All sites have room for tents |
| Fee charged for some activities: | $15.00 non-electric site / $20.00 electric site per night |
| Toilets: | Vault, and flush in summer |
| Parking: | Available, two vehicles per campsite |
| Accessible: | Most sites are accessible |
| Drinking water: | Available, no hookups |
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