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Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, Nebraska

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As of October 2026, Bessey Recreation Complex Campground is a campground in Nebraska with 24 campsites. Bessey Recreation Complex Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Bessey Recreation Complex Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Bessey Recreation Complex Campground is located at 41.9006° N, 100.2991° W.

people allowed on 19 of 24 sites: 8
people allowed on the largest site: 150

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 3 (1 site)Oct 4 (2 sites)Oct 5 (2 sites)

1 site open on Oct 3 at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 01:39 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Bessey Recreation Complex Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

3469101112133814151618192324252829303132

Standard 18
Tent 4
Group 2
Accessible 6
Hookups 19

What an RV fits

25 ft1 site
27 ft2 sites
30 ft5 sites
35 ft6 sites
40 ft1 site
45 ft3 sites
50 ft1 site

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, stargazing, water sports.

All sites at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups	Access
BESSEY PICNIC SHELTER	BESSEY RECREATION	Group	50	-	Electric	Accessible
GRP01	BESSEY RECREATION	Group	150	35 ft	Electric	Accessible
003	CEDR	Standard	8	27 ft	Electric	-
004	CEDR	Standard	8	40 ft	Electric	-
006	CEDR	Standard	8	35 ft	Electric	-
009	CEDR	Standard	6	30 ft	Electric	-
010	CEDR	Standard	6	35 ft	Electric	-
011	CEDR	Standard	6	30 ft	Electric	-
012	CEDR	Standard	8	30 ft	Electric	-
013	CEDR	Standard	8	35 ft	Electric	-
038	CEDR	Tent	8	-	-	-
014	HRWD	Standard	8	45 ft	Electric	-
015	HRWD	Standard	8	35 ft	Electric	-
016	HRWD	Tent	8	-	-	-
018	HRWD	Tent	8	-	-	-
019	HRWD	Tent	8	-	-	-
023	RVLP	Standard	8	27 ft	Electric	-
024	RVLP	Standard	8	30 ft	Electric	-
025	RVLP	Standard	8	30 ft	Electric	-
028	RVLP	Standard	8	45 ft	Electric	Accessible
029	RVLP	Standard	8	25 ft	-	-
030	RVLP	Standard	8	35 ft	Electric	Accessible
031	RVLP	Standard	8	45 ft	Electric	Accessible
032	RVLP	Standard	8	50 ft	Electric	Accessible

About Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Bessey Recreation Complex Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

The main restroom facilities and showers will be closed seasonally. Vault toliets are available year round.

Only 1 trailer per site. A camper is considered a trailer. Additional trailers may be parked in the large day use parking lot. The group area is the exception.

Keep off-road vehicles, cars and trailers on gravel.

Off-road vehicles can only be ridden to the trailhead and back within the campground.

Double camping in sites is prohibited. No more than two tents per site. The group area is the exception.

Only 2 cars may park at one campsite. The group area is the exception.

Some sites are tent only. If you have a camper, please make sure you reserve a camper site.

Campsite must be occupied the first night.

Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Horse corrals not available at the Bessey Recreation Complex. Horses are allowed and corrals are available at Natick and Whitetail Campgrounds.

Click here for more information about the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground?

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 24 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bessey Recreation Complex Campground have?

Bessey Recreation Complex Campground has 24 campsites.

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