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Make this your destination for a relaxing outdoor experience. Here you will find the Bessey Nursery, Scott Lookout Tower, the Middle Loup River, the Dismal River OHV trail, campgrounds for horses and OHV users, the beautiful Bessey Recreation Area, and acres of wide open spaces.
All campgrounds are open all year; however, showers and running water are closed during winter months.
Reservations:
About half the sites at the main recreational complex may be reserved at recreation.gov up to a year in advance. Natick and Whitetail campgrounds are first-come, first-served all year.
Area Amenities:
Interpretive Site,Accessible,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water,Parking
Fees
Fees are charged for camping and parking in the main parking lot.
Usage:
Medium-Heavy
Busiest Season:
Weekends, May through November
Restrictions:
Motorized travel restrictions apply.
Closest Towns:
Halsey - 1 mile to the east - has a post office, motel, and restaurant.
Thedford - 17 miles to the west - is a small community with restaurants, a hotel, gas stations, and a grocery store.
General Information
Parking:
Parking is available in the main parking lot for $3.00 per day. Parking is free on the forest; however, vehicles must be parked within 30 feet of a road designated on the motor vehicle use map.
General Notes:
People have mountain biked on the ATV trails without troubles, but caution is advised. All the forest roads are open to mountain bikers.
Mountain bikers have discovered the sandhills, which have miles of rolling terrain and long views. The mountain biking is best after a rain or in colder weather, when the sand is firm or frozen. The soft sand can be managed by using extra-fat tires, as shown in this picture.
General Info:
Parking
Parking is available in the main parking lot for $3.00 per day. Parking is free on the forest; however, vehicles must be parked within 30 feet of a road designated on the motor vehicle use map.
General Notes
People have mountain biked on the ATV trails without troubles, but caution is advised. All the forest roads are open to mountain bikers.
Status:
Open
Open Season:
January-December
Fees:
$3.00 parking fee
Usage:
Light.
Best Season:
Any time but very dry conditions
Areas for Mountain Biking at Nebraska National Forest at Halsey
Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere on the forest. Vehicles, however, must camp within 300 feet of either side of a road designated on the motor vehicle use map.
Status:
Open
Open Season:
January-December
Fees:
None
Reservation info:
None
Usage:
Generally light, except during rifle deer season when use is heavy.
Group Camping
The group campground has 11 electrical hook-ups, a picnic shelter, a group fire ring, picnic tables, and a vault toilet nearby.
Fees:
$75.00 per night for up to 50 people; $150.00 per night for up to 150 people
Reservation info:
Reservations are advised weekends April through November.
Usage:
Use is heavy on weekends beginning in April and lasting through November.
Hours of Operation:
Available all year; however, water is shut off during the winter months.
Areas for Group Camping at Nebraska National Forest at Halsey
The Bessey Recreation Complex consists of 3 camping loops (Hardwood, Cedar, and River) and a group campground. Natick Campground has no electric hookups, 20 horse corrals, and potable water. Whitetail Campground is located on the Dismal River, has 10 horse corrals, is near ATV trails, and has potable water.
Areas for Campground Camping at Nebraska National Forest at Halsey
The Scott Tower National Recreation Trail is a 3-mile trail that connects the main recreation complex with the Scott Lookout Tower. The tower is open all year.
Hiking and backpacking is open anywhere on the forest.
Difficulty Desc.
Climbing the tower is tough if you are not in shape - take it slow.
Status:
Open
Fees:
None, unless parking in the main lot which is $3.00 per day.
Usage:
If you are afraid of heights, climbing the tower is probably not for you.
Hours of Operation:
Trails and the tower are open all the time unless otherwise posted.
Areas for Day Hiking at Nebraska National Forest at Halsey
The district features approximately 23 miles of ATV trails (for vehicles 50 inches wide or less) and 11 miles of trails for side-by-sides (wider than 50 inches).
Status:
Open
Open Season:
January-December
Fees:
$3.00 parking fee in the main lot
Reservation info:
None required.
Usage:
The trails are narrow, only accommodating a single ATV in most places. Traffic goes both directions, so use caution around blind curves.
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Nebraska National Forest at Halsey
SHOW
Spadefoot toad.
HIDE
