Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, Nebraska
- Fee per nightnot confirmed
- Seasonnot listed
- RV length (some sites)Up to 50 ft
- Drinking wateryes
- Electricyes
Also: Confirmed: flush toilets and online reservations. Not listed: showers and a dump station.
When do reservations open? the exact day and time to book
Pick your arrival date to see the day and time it can be booked.
Most Recreation.gov campgrounds release each date 6 months ahead at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Some use another window - check the booking window on its Recreation.gov page and change it above. Popular dates can be gone within minutes.
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Amenities
“Not listed” means the official sources don’t say - it does not mean “no”.
- Electric hookups 30 or 50 amp: what can run at once? Yes
- Drinking water Yes
- Flush toilets Yes
- Showers Not listed
- Dump station Not listed
- Water hookups at sites No
- Sewer hookups Not listed
- Tent sites Yes
- RV / trailer sites Yes
- Reservable online Yes
Sites, fees and season
- Campsites
- 51
- Longest RV / trailer listed
- Up to 50 ft at selected sites (not every site; check access and your site)
- Elevation
- 2,712 ft
- Phone
- (308) 533-2257 (campground or managing office)
Fees are not listed in the official data. Check the official site before you go.
The listed length is the longest site; not every site fits that size. Confirm your site on the official reservation page.
Location and nearby campgrounds
Location on the map · Driving directions · 41.90061, -100.29914 (the official listing point; check the access road for large rigs)
From the official listing description, directions and rules
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.
Nearby Attractions
Drive or hike to the Scott Lookout Tower for a fantastic panoramic view of Nebraska's sand hills and prairies.
Weather forecast - next 7 days
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Climate by month
Average daily high and low and monthly precipitation, 1991-2020 normals from the NOAA station Purdum - 11.7 mi away, station at 2,690 ft - about the same height as the campground. Long-term averages, not a forecast; the open season is listed separately above.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38 | 11 | - |
| Feb | 42 | 14 | - |
| Mar | 52 | 23 | - |
| Apr | 61 | 32 | - |
| May | 71 | 44 | - |
| Jun | 81 | 55 | - |
| Jul | 88 | 60 | - |
| Aug | 86 | 58 | - |
| Sep | 78 | 48 | - |
| Oct | 65 | 34 | - |
| Nov | 51 | 22 | - |
| Dec | 40 | 13 | - |
Highlight months with an average high between and °F:
Photos, reviews and questions
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Sources and data dates where every fact comes from
| Fact | Source | Fetched from the source |
|---|---|---|
| Campsites | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Reservable online | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Tent sites | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| RV / trailer sites | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Electric hookups | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Water hookups at sites | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Drinking water | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Flush toilets | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Longest RV / trailer listed | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Elevation | USGS elevation (EPQS) | Oct 27, 2026 |
| Official page | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Official reservations | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
| Phone | Recreation.gov (RIDB) | Oct 27, 2026 source updated Feb 25, 2026 |
Last successful data update for this page: Oct 27, 2026. That is when we last read the official sources - not a personal visit, and not the date the source itself changed (shown per fact above). Found something wrong? Report an error.