Can you reserve a site at Bessey Recreation Complex?

Yes, Bessey Recreation Complex is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Bessey Recreation Complex have?

51 sites in total, of which 48 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Bessey Recreation Complex?

50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex.

Are campfires allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex?

Campfires are allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Bessey Recreation Complex, Nebraska — 48 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

Season: Year Round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
48 bookable sites
51 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
9 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 50 ft
Up to 150 people per site
Loops: All, BESSEY RECREATION, CEDR, FSPD, HRWD, RVLP, S&P

Site types

28 Standard Electric
14 Tent Only Nonelectric
4 Standard Nonelectric
3 Management
1 Group Shelter Electric
1 Group Standard Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

51 campsites at Bessey Recreation Complex

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
S&P Electric	All	Management	Back In	—	—	—	—	8
S&P Nonelectric	All	Management	Back In	—	—	—	—	0
BESSEY PICNIC SHELTER	BESSEY RECREATION	Group Shelter Electric	—	Paved	—	—	—	50	♿
GRP01	BESSEY RECREATION	Group Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	35 ft	150	♿
002	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	8	🐾
003	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	27 ft	8
004	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	40 ft	8
005	CEDR	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	50 ft	6
006	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	35 ft	8
007	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	35 ft	6
008	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	35 ft	6
009	CEDR	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6
010	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	35 ft	6
011	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6
012	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	30 ft	8
013	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	35 ft	8
036	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8
037	CEDR	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	30 ft	8
037A	CEDR	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
038	CEDR	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	—	—	30 ft	8
041	CEDR	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	—	—	—	—	0
042	CEDR	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	—	—	—	—	0
043	CEDR	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	—	—	—	—	0
044	CEDR	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	—	—	—	—	0
039	FSPD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	—	—	—	8
040	FSPD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	—	8
014	HRWD	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	45 ft	8
015	HRWD	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
016	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	35 ft	8
017	HRWD	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	45 ft	8	🐾
018	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	25 ft	8
019	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	8
020	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	20 ft	8
021	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	25 ft	8
022	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8
023A	HRWD	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	—	—	—	—	8
023	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	8
024	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	30 ft	8
024A	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	0
025	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8
026	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	25 ft	8
027	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	27 ft	8	🐾
028	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	45 ft	8	♿
029	RVLP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	8
030	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	50 ft	8	♿ 🐾
031	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	50 ft	8	♿ 🐾
032	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	50 ft	8	♿ 🐾
033	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
034	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	♿ 🐾
035	RVLP	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	27 ft	8	♿ 🐾
New S&P Electric	S&P	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	—	40 ft	8

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.

41.90061, -100.29914 · 41°54'2.2"N 100°17'56.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	39	42	52	61	71	81	88	86	78	65	51	40
Low °F	11	14	23	33	44	55	60	58	48	34	22	13
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Bessey Recreation Complex

Can you reserve a site at Bessey Recreation Complex?: Yes, Bessey Recreation Complex is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Bessey Recreation Complex have?: 51 sites in total, of which 48 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Bessey Recreation Complex?: 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex?: Yes, pets are allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex.
Does Bessey Recreation Complex have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex?: Campfires are allowed at Bessey Recreation Complex. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Bessey Recreation Complex also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Bessey Recreation Complex's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

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.

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.

Accessibility:

Accessible fishing access, flush toilets, picnic area, and most campsites.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Bessey Recreation Complex

Nebraska National Forest at Halsey 1.6 mi · Facility
Whitetail Campground 7.4 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Bessey Recreation Complex