Campground List

CAMPGROUND NAME: Bessey Recreation Area

VISIT DATE: 06/19/1997

UPDATE DATE: 3/29/2009

STATE: Nebraska

REGION: Rocky Mountain

RANGER DISTRICT: Bessey

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Dunning

RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation

DIRECTIONS:
From Dunning, NE, take State Rt. 2 west 10 miles to Halsey, NE.  Continue west 
on Rt. 2 for 1.1 miles to Nebraska Recreation Area sign (State Spur 86B).  Turn 
left onto State Spur 86B and go 0.2 miles to campground entrance.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 2,880 ft.

The campground, a.k.a. Bessey Recreation Complex, is adjacent to Middle 
Loup River.  It is not just simply a recreation area but a recreation complex 
with tubing opportunities, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe pits, and baseball 
field.  An interpretive program may be provided upon request.  Drive or 
hike to the Scott Lookout Tower.  There, one has a wonderful panoramic view 
of Nebraska's sand hills and prairie.  Most of the plants and trees in the 
campground are not native.  Many, such as Douglas fir, Ginkgo and Norway 
spruce, were planted just to see if they would grow and thrive in Nebraska's 
sandy soil. 

The campground is composed of three loops - Hardwood, Cedar and River and 
is next to the oldest tree nursery in the United States Forest Service.  The 
Nebraska National Forest represents the largest hand-planted forested area in 
the United States.  The forest provides access to OHVs.  Dirt bikes and ATVs 
can be ridden from the campground site to trailhead only and back - 
no free-wheeling in the campground.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: No
Open All Year: Yes

Comments:
No flush toilets and showers from Novembr 24 through May 21

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $8 per day - no electric hookups
$11 per day - electric hookups
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 4
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 30
   
   Total Sites: 34

Tent Pads: Yes
Group Tent Sites: Yes
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 34
No. Grilles on Sites: 34

RV INFORMATION
No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0
No. Water and Electric Only: 0
No. Water Only: 0
No. Electric Only: 22

Group RV Sites: Yes
No. RV Pull Throughs: 1
Waste Station: Yes
Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes
Average Parking Apron Size: 12' X 45'

Comments:
Hardwood Loop has paved aprons has one electric hookup.  Cedar
and River Loops have sand, dirt and cement aprons, some with 
electric hookups.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: Yes
Hot Showers: Yes
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: Yes
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 4
  No. Threaded: 4

Comments:
Hot showers are wheelchair facilities.

WATER SPORTS
Lake: No
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: No
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: No
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Middle Loup River is shallow and steady flowing.  It is good for
tubing and fair for canoeing.  Campers can bring their own
equipment.  There is one outfitter; call the the Ranger District
Office for information.

HIKING
Scott Lookout Tower Trail (foot only) - 3 miles

Forest is unlimited to foot and horseback but OHVs are limited to 
designated trails.

FISHING   
There is 7-acre pond with stocked Largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie 
and catfish.  There is also a cleaning station and wheelchair friendly 
fishing pier.


CAMPGROUND NAME: Red Cloud

VISIT DATE: 06/24/1997

UPDATE DATE: 2/12/2008

STATE: Nebraska

REGION: Rocky Mountain

RANGER DISTRICT: Pine Ridge

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Chadron

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
From Chadron, NE, take US Rt. 385 south for 9 miles to Red Cloud
Picnic Ground sign.  Turn right at sign into campground.

NOTE: Picnic ground was converted during 1996 to a campground. 
As of date of visit sign had not been modified to reflect this
change.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 3,740 ft.

The campground is very pleasant and conveniently located for day
trips to trails in Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and
Soldier Creek Wilderness.  Viewing the geological wonders and
fossils at Toadstool Park and Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed is
another worthwhile day trip from the campground.  Pines and wild
roses are abundant throughout the campground.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No

Seasonal Comment:
Open May 17 through November 16.

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $5 per day

Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 3
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 10
   
   Total Sites: 13

Tent Pads: No
Group Tent Sites: No
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 13
No. Grilles on Sites: 13

RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
Group RV Sites: No
No. RV Pull Throughs: 3
Waste Station: No
Average Parking Apron Size: 13' X 41'

Comments:
The parking aprons are gravel.  There is a waste station
available for a fee, at Chadron State Park, 1 mile north of campground 
on US Rt. 385.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No

Public Phone: No
Playground: Yes
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0
  No. Threaded: 0

WATER SPORTS - None

HIKING - No

Comments:
Foot, mountain bike and horse trails are available in Soldier
Creek Wilderness and Pine Ridge National Recreation Area. 
Contact the Pine Ridge Ranger District Office for more
information.

Forest is unlimited to foot and horseback but ATV, ORV and 
motorized bikes are limited to designated trails.

FISHING - No

Comments:
The Chadron Reservoir is located 3 miles south of campground on
US Rt. 385 where fishing is available.


CAMPGROUND NAME: Whitetail

VISIT DATE: 06/19/1997

UPDATE DATE: 3/29/2009

STATE: Nebraska

REGION: Rocky Mountain

RANGER DISTRICT: Bessey

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Dunning

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
From Dunning, NE, take State Rt. 2 west 10 miles to Halsey, NE.  Continue 
straight on Rt. 2 1.1 miles to Nebraska National Forest Recreation Area sign 
(State Spur 86B).  Turn left onto State Spur 86B and go 3.1 miles to Whitetail 
campground sign (Forest Rt. 203).  Turn left onto Rt. 203 (sand and dirt) and 
go 7.8 miles to another Whitetail campground sign (Forest Rt. 277).  Turn left 
onto Rt. 277 and go 3 miles to campground.

NOTE: Forest Rt. 277 is a sand-based, rutted, narrow single lane road, which 
crosses a prairie.  Horse trailers should be pulled with a 4-wheel drive truck.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 2,840 ft.

The campground, overlooks the Dismal River and is designed as a horse camp.  
It is also popular with ATV enthusiasts.  There are ample, well-constructed 
stalls and a corral.  A windmill supplies water for the livestock.  There are 
excellent views of the Dismal River, prairie and sand hills.  Cottonwoods and 
other deciduous trees provide shade.  Although the campground accommodates 
most any size RV/horse trailer, Forest Rt. 277 is not RV friendly.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: No
Open All Year: Yes

Comments:  
Services provided Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $8 per day
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 10
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 0
   
   Total Sites: 10

Tent Pads: No
Group Tent Sites: Yes
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 10
No. Grilles on Sites: 8

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 2
  No. Threaded: 0

Comments:
Water spigots are hand pumps.  Water for horses at windmill is
not tested.

WATER SPORTS
Lake: No
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: No
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: No
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Dismal River is shallow - limited tubing and canoeing.

HIKING
Dismal Trail (multi-use) - 9 miles

Forest is unlimited to foot and horseback but OHVs and 
motorized bikes are limited to designated trails.

FISHING - No