Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates33 total sites
RV Sites
18 sites
Tent Sites
15 sites
About Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 33
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Rates, Sites & Availability
33 Sites Available
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Site Details
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33 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (916)
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
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.
Review Summary
Maria M
August 20, 2025
The park was so beautifully kept! Bathroom facilities were clean and available for use. The landscape has been pleasantly kept and clean. The campsite was easy to reserve and a peaceful stay. We have made it out to the Lake several times this month: once to bike ride, once to see the docks and water, and I loved it so much that we camped out to watch the meteor shower on our third visit. Nice job maintaining this park. Most places around here look run-down after years, but this year I found your park breathtaking and so peaceful. We plan on spending much time here this late summer and fall. Thank you for all of your hard work in tending to it.
Maria M
August 20, 2025
The park was so beautifully kept! Bathroom facilities were clean and available for use. The landscape has been pleasantly kept and clean. The campsite was easy to reserve and a peaceful stay. We have made it out to the Lake several times this month: once to bike ride, once to see the docks and water, and I loved it so much that we camped out to watch the meteor shower on our third visit. Nice job maintaining this park. Most places around here look run-down after years, but this year I found your park breathtaking and so peaceful. We plan on spending much time here this late summer and fall. Thank you for all of your hard work in tending to it.
Laura W
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Rough start with electrical issues. We moved twice and ended up having to use all our propane in our generator to get through the first night without burning up. It is a nice area however they need to work on the electrical issues.
Laura W
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Rough start with electrical issues. We moved twice and ended up having to use all our propane in our generator to get through the first night without burning up. It is a nice area however they need to work on the electrical issues.
Alana J
July 8, 2025
Absolutely love this one. The place is kept nice. The camp sites are a little close to each other but since there were not a tone of people every other camp group was able to have their own space at the park. Restrooms are fairly close and they have water spouts. We also saw some nice wildlife through out our stay.
Alana J
July 8, 2025
Absolutely love this one. The place is kept nice. The camp sites are a little close to each other but since there were not a tone of people every other camp group was able to have their own space at the park. Restrooms are fairly close and they have water spouts. We also saw some nice wildlife through out our stay.
Jennifer V
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We really enjoy this spot; It’s a nice place to camp. Some of the sites aren’t too close to the neighbors so that’s nice.
One thing we don’t like about the Ratcliff Lake area are the hiking trails. It’s basically just walking through tall trees and plants. There are zero points of interests and because of the are, no lookouts.
Fishing is okay. We had luck a few years ago but not even one bite this year.
Jennifer V
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We really enjoy this spot; It’s a nice place to camp. Some of the sites aren’t too close to the neighbors so that’s nice.
One thing we don’t like about the Ratcliff Lake area are the hiking trails. It’s basically just walking through tall trees and plants. There are zero points of interests and because of the are, no lookouts.
Fishing is okay. We had luck a few years ago but not even one bite this year.
Tyler V
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great park- fishing and lots of shade. Bathrooms were on the older side, but very clean.
Site 39 is level and nice and private, even a little shared fishing dock right there.
I’m always eyeballing other sites- and 51 looked pretty sweet too 😂
Recommended for sure
Kaylee L
June 14, 2025
Sawmill shelter had great views and a path close by to walk down. The ceiling fans are great for summer events
Location Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Address:
18551 State Highway 7 East
Kennard, TX, 75487
United States
From Crockett, take State Highway 7 east for 15 miles. The recreation area is on the left between the towns of Ratcliff and Kennard.
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.
Elevation: 100 feet
2.8 mi drive to downtown Kennard (about 5 min)
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.
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Last updated: September 7, 2026
