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Submission
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.
We discovered this place driving by on Hwy 2 on our way to another place and decided to stay. It was a delightful surprise and well worth spending more time. We are primitive campers and like rustic camping and this has that and more. It also has plenty to attract campers that like all the amenities of outdoor life like electricity and showers.
The main park offers 3 camping loops, River Loop, Cedar Loop and Hardwood Loop. River and Cedar offer mostly electric sites however there are a couple of primitive sites on the edges. Hardwood has just 1 electrical site that we discovered but the rest are all primitive. All sites have fire rings and picnic tables and some have wood benches. There's plenty of firewood available with a little effort and we even discovered firewood others had left behind.
One of the best things about this place is the discovery of Natick campground which is 7 miles off the highway on good road. The sites here are all primitive and potable water is available at the head of the campground from a hand pump well head. Good water too! Natick is mainly a horse riders campground and there are several horse corrals and a windmill water tank nearby.
Both campgrounds are beautifully set in the yellow pine forest with a few deciduous trees scatter throughout. There are also plentiful Cedar and Junipers. The shallow Middle Loup River runs past the main campground and there is a pond between the highway and river both of which could be great for playing in the water. There are lots of place for riding bicycles, 4 wheelers, and dirt bikes as well as horse-back riding.
Lastly, there is one campground I think by the name of White-tail Campground we didn't visit, mainly because it's accessible only by 4-wheel drive vehicles. I will leave it to others to describe.
This recreation area is beautifully maintained and a lovely getaway. I would highly recommend a visit.
While the weekends are filled with the sounds of 4 wheelers. The week was quiet and peaceful. 6mi around trip trail 👣 was fun. Watch out for snakes along the trail. Can see tracks of cougars and deer on the trail as well.
Beautiful campground and the staff was very helpful. We only had a short stay but enjoyed the scenery as we went for walks.
great atv trails, but need at least a 200cc or more. train comes throughout the night and blows horn. reserve you site online or you may not get one. only electric sites, but places to fill up on water. you can tube, but make sure someone is going to get you somewhere down the river.
