ATV Trails: Nebraska Sandhills
Nebraska National Forest Offers ATV Riders Sand, Trees, and Trails
May 13, 2007
Nearby the town of Halsey Nebraska, a sequestered sanctuary resides within the rolling hills of sand covering the north central Nebraska prairie. Seemingly out of place in this Great Plains region, rests the largest man-made forest in the world. The Nebraska National Forest’s Bessey District encompasses some 90,000 acres of majestic, peaceful sandhills country. Located between two rivers, the Middle Loup in the north and the Dismal in the south, the area was established as a forest reserve in 1902. This forest district offers what seems to be endless, rolling sandhills with 20,000 acres of man-made forest.
In an ecosystem entirely consisting of sand, the basic rules regarding ATV and off-road vehicles such as spark-arresters, staying on the trails and the need to ‘tread lightly’ are strictly enforced. Disturbing or destroying the prairie grass layer leads to heavy wind erosion or ‘blow outs’. These areas expand rapidly and take decades to repair. Far too many riders disrespect the land and each other.
Bessey Recreation Site, the main campground, is located just inside the northeast entrance. Tents and RV’s are common, especially on the weekends when the area sees the bulk of its visitors. Electrical hook-ups are available along with showers and an in-ground swimming pool. A paved road from the recreation site leads directly to the trail heads. From there a rider may branch out and explore the trail system. The southern campsite, Whitetail Campground, is less developed but allows for a peaceful visit alongside the Dismal River. Horseback riders will find areas at Whitetail less noisy for their animals. Linking the Bessey site with the Whitetail site is the 9-mile long Dismal trail. This trail was cut through the forest with the support of NOHVA, the Nebraska Off-Highway Vehicle Organization. A final campsite, Natick Campground, which is located in the western area, is also undeveloped. Outside of the three campsites, which require fees, free camping is allowed throughout the remainder of the forest. Campers beware of the creatures slithering across the plains, the prairie rattlesnake. The plains weather can also shake the night’s peace. Heavy storms with spectacular lightning that dump rain easily soaked by the dry sand serves to cut the dust for the morning rides. For those less into nature, the towns of Halsey (2 Miles from the main entrance) and Thedford (13 miles west along Highway 2) offer places with modern accommodations.
ATV Trails within the forested sandhills have all the characteristics one would expect. Some are large enough for 4x4 trucks and jeeps. Trails consist of open, smooth, straight-aways to heavily-wooded, weaving trails and areas strung with rolling bumps. A few small play areas are available, one sporting a hill climb. The central regions have the densest tree populations with areas in the east and west left as open prairie. This provides for a diverse ride. In many areas along the trails, ‘gifts’ left by roaming cattle are sometimes too frequent. Aside from that unpleasantness, a large variety of plant life inhabits the region such as flowering cactus, dozens of different wildflowers, sunflowers, and yucca plants. Many species of bird are present and there is also a prairie dog village. The University of Nebraska has several projects underway within the forested region, monitoring the ecosystem and weather. Some of which are visible from the trails. Numbered windmills dot the landscape and serve several purposes; from pumping water for cattle to providing map locations. With the map, available from the park ranger at Bessey recreational area, and a numbered windmill, even the novice rider will be able to navigate the trail system easily.
Trails in Wyoming: Wyoming Big Horn Mountains
Trails in Missouri: Ozark's Mark Twain Forest
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
