OutReserve

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

Ratcliff Lake View
Ratcliff Recreation Area
Ratcliff Recreation Area
RATCLIFF LAKE RECREATION AREA
Ratcliff Recreation Area

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.

Number of accommodations: 33

Campground Amenities

  • Dump Station
    Dump Station

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

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

365 Days

Sites & Availability

33 Sites Available

Site
Price
002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
004, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
006, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
008, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
012, Loop: FS 520
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
30 Amp · Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
042, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
050, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$15.00
/ per night
A Group, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$30.00
/ per night
B Group, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
10 guests · Pet Friendly
$30.00
/ per night
C Group, Loop: Sawmill
10 guests · Pet Friendly
$30.00
/ per night

Reviews (444)

What Guests Are Saying

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful scenery, spacious and quiet campgrounds, and well-maintained facilities, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and outdoor activities. Many visitors enjoyed the hiking trails, clean restrooms, and peaceful atmosphere, with some returning frequently. However, there were a few concerns regarding noise from neighbors, occasional maintenance issues, and a lack of sewer hookups, but overall, guests had a positive experience and expressed a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.5
444 reviews
5
69.1%
307
4
20.5%
91
3
6.5%
29
2
2.5%
11
1
1.4%
6

Andrew B

Verified

April 22, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP

5

Clean park, great staff. Will certainly return soon!

john c

Verified

April 19, 2024 Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

5

quite with a clean bath house. the pad area's could use a periodic sweeping but overall very nice

Michael J

Verified

April 17, 2024 Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

3

Lovely location but the slick, moss covered timbers left me with a fractured arm!

Douglas R

Verified

April 4, 2024 Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

5

Spent 3 nights Sun - Weds in late March in the Dogwood Loop with electric and water hookups. Although the campground is old and could use some road work and campsite repairs, the sites are spacious and level and afford nice privacy in nature. Bath house is clean and showers were excellent. The lake is perfect size for kayaking and gets decent fishing action. Perfect weather and no crowds; I couldn't have asked for anything more. This was a focal stop on my monthlong spring RV trip and I will be making it part of my future trips. And for full disclosure my last name is Ratcliffe, I'll excuse the misspelling.

Dan B

Verified

April 3, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

4

Quiet campground. Lots of space between sites for ample privacy. Bath house was exceptionally clean and private rooms. Nice lake with a very large and well kept up recreation area

Karina V

Verified

April 1, 2024 Stayed at: 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP

5

Our RATCLIFF stay was great. The scenery was beautiful. Our stay was late March and the weather was amazing. The lake is good to fish in but the water didn’t not seem very adequate to swim in (we did not allow our children to get in the water). Overall the fishing and hikes were great! We would definitely go back.

Karina V

Verified

April 1, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP

5

Our RATCLIFF stay was great. The scenery was beautiful. Our stay was late March and the weather was amazing. The lake is good to fish in but the water didn’t not seem very adequate to swim in (we did not allow our children to get in the water). Overall the fishing and hikes were great! We would definitely go back.

Kevin M

Verified

March 25, 2024 Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP

5

Great RV Site in Dogwood Loop. Big and pretty campsites with electric and water.

Paul C

Verified

March 19, 2024 Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP

5

Very beautiful clean park. Well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay. We will definitely mark this as a park to return to.

Gary R

March 15, 2024

5

Beautiful lake, top notch facilities (including clean restrooms), and a chance to catch the famous Texas Snipe give Lake Ratcliff and A+.

Camp Hosts Bobby and Amy are the icing on the cake. They were our hosts in the Sawmill Loop, including the Pavilion.
They were attentive to our needs, including regularly checking on us. They truly want you to have a great time.

Location Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

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

Latitude & Longitude: 31.3883 / -95.155

Elevation: 100 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

This facility has first-come, first-served sites

General

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.

General

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.

General

No gas motors allowed on the lake

General

ATVs or ORVs are not allowed on the ground in the recreation area or any other location on the Davy Crocket National Forest.

General

Picnic shelter is for day use only; no overnight camping allowed

General

Amphitheater site has no tables or grills

General

Click here for information about National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

General

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.

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