Whitetail Campground
Open year-round, 24 hours daily. First-come, first-served only; no reservations accepted. Forest Road 277 in the area is closed for resource protection, but the campground remains accessible via Forest Road 224. Camping limited to 14 nonconsecutive days within any 30-day period.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 30 at 8:10PM CDT until July 1 at 2:00AM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 426 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CDT /1 AM MDT/ WEDNESDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NEBRASKA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 25 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA CUSTER IN NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA BLAINE BOYD BROWN CHERRY GARFIELD HOLT KEYA PAHA LOUP ROCK THOMAS WHEELER IN PANHANDLE NEBRASKA DEUEL GARDEN IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA CHASE FRONTIER HAYES KEITH LINCOLN PERKINS IN WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA ARTHUR GRANT HOOKER LOGAN MCPHERSON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AINSWORTH, ARTHUR, ATKINSON, BARTLETT, BASSETT, BIG SPRINGS, BREWSTER, BROKEN BOW, BURWELL, BUTTE, CHAMPION, CHAPPELL, CURTIS, DUNNING, ENDERS, ERICSON, EUSTIS, GRANT, HALSEY, HAYES CENTER, HYANNIS, IMPERIAL, LEWELLEN, LYNCH, MAYWOOD, MULLEN, NORTH PLATTE, O'NEILL, OGALLALA, OSHKOSH, PAXTON, PURDUM, RINGGOLD, ROSE, SPENCER, SPRINGVIEW, STAPLETON, TAYLOR, THEDFORD, TRYON, VALENTINE, AND WAUNETA.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
About
Whitetail Campground is a rustic, equestrian-friendly campground located on the Dismal River in the southeastern portion of the Bessey Ranger District within Nebraska National Forest. The campground features 10 campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring, along with modern vault toilets. A hand pump provides non-potable water suitable only for livestock. Nine horse corrals are available for overnight use, making this an ideal base camp for riders exploring the area. The campground sits directly on the Bessey OHV trail system, providing convenient access for off-highway vehicle recreation. No electricity is available, and the access road via Forest Road 224 is very sandy, requiring appropriate vehicle clearance. Certified weed-free hay is mandatory for all livestock, and animals must remain confined to the corrals (no portable panels or electric fencing allowed). At $15 per night, this is a cash-or-check, first-come-first-served campground with no advance reservations. Self-registration is required within 30 minutes of selecting a site using the fee envelopes and collection box near the entrance. Dogs are permitted but must remain under owner control at all times.
Directions
From Highway 2, turn south into the forest. After crossing the river, stay right on State Spur 86B. Follow 86B to Forest Road 203 south (do not turn right at the first 203, take the left up the road). Follow 203 south about 8 miles to Forest Road 224 east, then follow signs to the campground. Road is very sandy.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (308) 533-2257 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!