The paved Halsey Hike/Bike Trail connects Halsey with the main campground of the Nebraska National Forest-Bessey Ranger District. Other outings offer different focuses: motorized trails, a hike to Scott Lookout Tower, fishing at Bessey Fish Pond or swimming in the Middle Loup River. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first which of these activities you want to shape your stay.
Choose Trails Based on Your Type of Outing
If you want to ride a motorized vehicle, consider the Bessey OHV Trail System. It includes about 36 miles of trails and is one of the few motorized trail areas in Nebraska open to the public. Check the Forest Service’s current advisories before setting out.
Another kind of outing takes you to Scott Lookout Tower: the trail there is three miles long and described as a one-way route. There are opportunities to observe various bird species at the lookout tower. The specified trail length and direction are useful when planning; birdwatching gives the hike a distinct focus.
The paved Halsey Hike/Bike Trail, in turn, connects the town with the main campground. Its role as a connector distinguishes it from the motorized OHV system and the designated hiking trail to the lookout tower. This lets you choose a trail based on your planned activity, rather than treating the three options as equivalent routes.
Fishing at the Pond, Swimming in the River
Bessey Fish Pond is located near Halsey in the Nebraska National Forest. In fall and winter, anglers can catch bass, sunfish, large catfish and trout there. The pond also has a fishing pier with a paved access path. Since the facility may change in the future, it’s a good idea to check its condition before your visit.
Swimming is a different water activity and is part of the Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground on the Middle Loup River. The complex is located in Nebraska’s central Sandhills. River conditions can vary. It’s therefore important to distinguish between the two when planning: the Fish Pond offers the seasonal fishing opportunities listed above, while swimming in the river is part of the Recreation Complex’s offerings.
The Nursery’s History
The Charles E. Bessey Tree Nursery in Halsey was established in 1902. In 1915, the Halsey Nursery was renamed the Charles E. Bessey Nursery. Its founding and renaming are two distinct historical milestones, so the later naming does not replace the founding year. The nursery is next to the Bessey Recreation Complex. This brings the history of the facility and the location of the recreation complex into context without reducing the two details to a single year.
Decide What to Focus on During Your Stay
When looking for hotels in Halsey, it helps to decide on your trip’s focus ahead of time. Will it be a paved trail connection, a motorized trail system or a hike for birdwatching? For anglers, the season also matters, since the fishing opportunities listed for Fish Pond are in fall and winter. Swimming in the Middle Loup River is yet another water activity, distinct from fishing in the pond.
For the broader travel overview: Thomas County.
