Halsey Update

By Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager

While it may not be always apparent on the ground, there is a lot of activity going on at the Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District near Halsey.

          Work on the road from the main camp ground to the Dismal River trailhead is still underway.  Work on this trail may continue up until Memorial Day weekend and further details are included in this article. 

          Tree  thinning has begun at Bessey and riders should be alert to work in the area.  More information about the tree thinning activities and location is described later in this article. 

A new travel management plan is being developed that will designate what trails should be open to ATV and dirtbike riders.  Be sure to check out the “NOHVA’s TMP Proposal for Halsey” in a separate article in this newspaper. 

          A work day has been scheduled for April 12^th and 13^th.  For details see the “Halsey Work Day Planned” article in this newspaper.  Water in the main camp ground for showering and toilets will not be turned on as there will still be a risk of pipes freezing.

Before I begin a description of activity, riders need to be aware that the Forest Service plans to increase enforcement of regulations concerning people riding around in the main camp ground, riding on roads that ATVs are not allowed, and resource damage.  For those who are un-aware, joy riding in all camp grounds is prohibited.  Riders are allowed to ride directly to and from trails from their camp site.  However, riding to the showers and rest rooms from your camp site, to another camp site, or allowing junior to cruise through the camp ground to keep him entertained are not allowed.  The Forest Service has been issuing tickets for the ‘not allowed’ activities and plan to step up enforcement this year.  Numerous tickets were issued last year!   If you need to have the ‘allowed’ activities defined, visit or call the Forest Service office. 

Concerning a project that began last fall, work on rebuilding the existing oiled road from the main camp ground to the Dismal River trail head will continue.   As of this writing, it is anticipated that the project will be completed this year before Memorial Day weekend.  Until this time, ATV and dirtbike riders will not be able to access trails from the main camp ground on ATVs or dirtbikes. However, riders can trailer their machines from the main camp ground to a different location and unload, then use the trails or camp else where.

Two alternative unloading and parking areas are suggested. One alternative unloading/ parking/ camping area is just east of the intersection of Circle Road and highway 86B near the Powerline Trail, or about 1/2 mile northeast of the Lookout Tower. Another location is three miles south of the Lookout Tower on Circle Road at the intersection of FS201. Some people may want to travel to the Whitetail camp ground. People can unload and park at other open locations along Circle Road that connect with trails that are open for ATVs and dirtbikes but are not allowed to ride on the road.

None of the suggested locations offer restroom, power or water. There are no constructed camp sites at any of these locations except for the Whitetail Campground. There may be a Fire Restriction in effect forest wide, check with the Forest Service office for details. The Whitetail Camp ground offers pit toilets and camp sites, however travel to the remote camp ground can be difficult for large rigs and tow vehicles. When parking anywhere please remember that motor vehicles with catalytic converters can start a fire when parked in or over dry grasses. Be very careful where you park your tow vehicles.

ATV and dirtbike travel is not permitted on paved roads or other roads that are for motor vehicles such as cars and trucks. These roads include Highway 86B (to the lookout tower), Circle Road and Natick Road, Whitetail & Gaston Road. Also be aware that the large area in the middle of the Forest is closed to all motorized traffic. Signs on trails and roads describe areas, trails and roads that are closed.

          On another issue, tree thinning in the Camp 5 allotments of the forest began around the first of the year.  The camp 5 allotments are located at the southern section of the Dismal River Trail and FS-201.  While the Dismal Trail and FS-201 will remain open during the time the tree thinning will occur, all other trails will be closed in the Camp 5 allotments.  Please stay on the Dismal River trail and 201 during this work and do not follow any of the trails made by the contractors.  On the Dismal River Trail, the northern boundary of the Camp 5 allotment begins at the first cattle guard south of the Dismal River Trail and the Fence Line trail (trail south of the Hill Climb) intersection.   The southern boundary of the Camp 5 allotment is the southern most cattle on the Dismal River trail. 

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This page was updated on Sunday, March 01, 2009