Natick Campground

Area Status: Open

The Natick Campground is quieter than the Bessey Recreation Complex, and it has 20 corrals for riding stock. This 17-unit campground has a hand pump for water, picnic tables, fire rings, modern vault toilets, and an outstanding view of the night sky. It is situated on the border of the hand-planted forest and the native grasslands, so it is easy to see both using Natick as your home base. No ATV or side-by-side riding is allowed from this campground.

Looking to horseback ride off the roads? Here is a map of the gate locations near Natick (it's a work in progress).

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Reservations:	None; campground is first-come, first-served.
Area Amenities:	Accessible, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking
Fees:	$15.00 per night to be paid at the fee station within 30 minutes of arrival.
Usage:	Light-Medium
Busiest Season:	November rifle deer season
Restrictions:	Livestock must be fed certified weed-free hay. Livestock must be kept in the corrals; portable panels and electric fencing are not allowed. Livestock are not allowed to be in campsites, except for saddling and unsaddling (no more than 30 minutes). Please clean the corrals after use with the wheelbarrow provided and deposit manure in the bunk. Please do not let your dog swim or bathe in the windmill tank as it is there to water the livestock.
Closest Towns:	Halsey, about 9 miles; Thedford, about 13 miles
Water:	Yes
Restroom:	Yes, vault toilet
Information Center:	The pavement on Forest Road 212 is deteriorating, resulting in potholes. Travel slowly.

General Information

Directions:

From Thedford, Nebraska: Take Highway 2 east about 17 miles to the forest entrance. At the national forest sign, turn south (right) onto State Spur 86B. Stay on State Spur 86B west for about 1.5 miles, then take Forest Road 212 about 7 miles to the campground.

Accessibility:

This campground is fully accessible.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

A 17-unit campground with water, picnic tables, fire rings, and modern vault toilets. A windmill provides water for livestock.

No. of Sites	17
Fire Information	Campfires are allowed in the fire rings. Do not bring wood from other areas.
No. of Accessible sites	17
Sleeping Shelter	No.
Permit required?:	Y
Difficulty Level:	Easy to Intermediate

Horse Camping

Twenty corrals for livestock are available.

A woman puts her horse up at the Natick Campground.

No. of Sites	17
Reservation Info	None
Fire Information	Campfires are allowed in the fire rings. Do not bring in wood from other places.
No. of Accessible sites	17
Difficulty Level:	Easy to Intermediate

Horse Riding

The grasslands provide wide open spaces, rolling hills, and long views. It is unusual to encounter other people when out riding.

Here is a map of the gate locations near Natick (be patient - it's a work in progress) or upload the gate locations to Google Earth.

From Google Earth, you can upload the gate locations to your Garmin.

Difficulty Level:	Easy to Intermediate

Viewing Wildlife

When in the forest and grasslands, you might see whitetail deer, mule deer, turkeys, badgers, bobcats, quail, prairie grouse, raptors, owls and other birds, turtles, and antelope.

Prairie grouse and antelope feed near a watering hole.