Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area Near Kennard, TX

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Available sites

33 total sites

RV Sites 18 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 15 sites Check Availability

About Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season

Upcoming seasons

Past seasons

Closed periods

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

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Nov

Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

RV Utilities and Hookups

Dump station on site

Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

33 Sites Available

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⛺ 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 004, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 006, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 008, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 012, Loop: FS 520 Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

🚐 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 016, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 017, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 021, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 027, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 035, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 037, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 039, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

⛺ 042, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 050, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ A Group, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ B Group, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade

⛺ C Group, Loop: Sawmill Tent

Gravel · Pet Friendly · Yes shade

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Site Details

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33 Sites Available

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Site

Price

⛺ 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 004, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 006, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 008, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 012, Loop: FS 520 Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

🚐 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 016, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 017, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 021, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 027, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 035, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 037, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

🚐 039, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 35 ft

🚐 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP RV

Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 80 × 30 ft

⛺ 042, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ 050, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ A Group, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

⛺ B Group, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP Tent

Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade

⛺ C Group, Loop: Sawmill Tent

Gravel · Pet Friendly · Yes shade

Reviews (926)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful location, clean amenities, and peaceful atmosphere, making it a great choice for camping and outdoor activities. Many visitors enjoyed the well-maintained sites, spaciousness, and nearby hiking trails, highlighting the campground's overall comfort and enjoyable experience. However, some concerns were raised about maintenance, particularly regarding road conditions and restroom cleanliness, suggesting improvements could enhance the stay for larger RVs and during peak times.

What Guests Are Saying

Review Summary

4.5

926 reviews

68.9%

638

20.6%

191

6.6%

2.4%

1.5%

Matthew S

Verified

September 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP

The tent pad is not in the shade. It has full sun for 7 hours. I am on a road trip and had booked based on photos. Upon realizing there was no shade for my tent and my cat I tried to find a host to help me with move to a different location, this lack of host involvement comes into play later. I couldn't find anyone to help me. The app/website wasn't useful either. I read a review, after I had arrived, that said there were copperhead infestation. There indeed are copperheads everywhere. There are also significant fire ants at this location. I left a day early. The last straw and basis for what would be a 0/5 review, if I could leave it, is that because I had no shade for my pet to hangout in my tent while I worked I was in my truck working with the ac on and my pet in the truck. Wouldn't you know it that forest service sheriff shows up. In a sketchy move he decides to walk from behind my truck, I was reversed in, and knocks on my passenger to check on me to "make sure you're ok." Not the host or someone working there. I surmise the ONLY other people in the area decided to report me being in my truck for 6-7 hours instead of talking to me when I went for walks. I would think a host would have come to check but I don't think anyone works here. Worst campground of the 10+ I've been too on this road trip.

Adam r

September 28, 2026

Quiet, no other people on a Friday night. Peaceful, quiet and beautiful

Timothy H

Verified

September 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Beautiful location, but sites not taken care of.

Murray S

Verified

September 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Great place to camp and fish the small lake during the warmer months, staff is great and kept us updated on potential weather situation.

Dennis S

Verified

September 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Loved the many shade trees! Convenience store about a mile away had the things we forgot and lots of memorabilia to see.

Dwayne y

Verified

August 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Nice and shady. Very clean facility

Robert R

Verified

July 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Great place to camp. I couldn't have had a better experience.

Charles "Randy" H

Verified

July 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Absolutely Awesome!

Daniel T

Verified

July 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Park is not maintained or set up safely for larger rigs. Numerous low branches and limbs, not trimmed back or up from all roads. Roads that lead into the park (whether State, County or City roads) are not trimmed back and up when in proximity to the park. Most roads within park are not maintained as well. Proper maintenance means landscaping is trimmed at least 15 ft high off the roads, and back to the edges of the road surface. And you can’t put rules in place that state you are not responsible for damages to my property when you are not maintaining the park features and landscaping that cause the damages in the first place. Lots of narrow roads too small for larger rigs. Uneven sites with broken asphalt. During our stay a 5th wheel tore off their AC unit due to the unmaintained trees.

ofelio a

Verified

July 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

Good

Location & Directions for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

18551 State Highway 7 East, Kennard, TX 75487 United States

Elevation: 100 ft

Map of Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area location at Kennard, TX, United States

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Getting There

From Crockett, take State Highway 7 east for 15 mi. The recreation area is on the left between the towns of Ratcliff and Kennard.

Nearest town

Kennard, TX - 2.8 mi

About 5 min to downtown

Highway access

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is accessible via State Highway 7, which connects to nearby towns and serves as the major road leading to the area.

Policies & Rules

General

This facility has first-come, first-served sites
The Day-use fee at Ratcliff is $5.00 per vehicle and is required for all day-use activities including the Group Shelters and Amphitheater.
Limit one RV unit (fifth-wheel, motorhome, trailer or pop-up) or two tents per site; each extra vehicle is charged $5 and may need to parked in an additional parking area away from the camping loop.
No gas motors allowed on the lake
ATVs or ORVs are not allowed on the ground in the recreation area or any other location on the Davy Crocket National Forest.
Picnic shelter is for day use only; no overnight camping allowed
Amphitheater site has no tables or grills
Click here for information about National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.