Nebraska National Forest (Bessey Ranger District)

The Nebraska National Forest is broken into two distinct areas, half in Chadron, NE and the other half in Halsey, NE. The Bessey Ranger District manages the section located near Halsey in central Nebraska. This section was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. All the trees within this national forest are hand-planted due to the concern and vision of a University of Nebraska botanist, Dr. Charles E. Bessey. His concern was over the unregulated harvest and growing demand in the country's timber. With the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey became the largest hand-planted forest in the western hemisphere. With over 90,000 total acres of public land tucked into the largest contiguous and least disturbed prairie system in the United States, the national forest offers ample opportunities for recreation, including camping, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding, hunting, fishing, hiking, and much more. Stop by and visit today!