About Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 33
Campground Amenities
-
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
33 Sites Available
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No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
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 (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.
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
Robert D
VerifiedMarch 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Really enjoyed our time here in late February. Weather was beautiful. Sites are nice and spread apart. The tall trees are amazing and seem to be maintained to take down dead ones. I enjoyed the bike trails on my E mountain bike, and my wife was able to ride some of the trails on hers. But most of the trails are bumpy and rooted and she was not comfortable on those.
Our site -38- was great except it was not level. I had the front jacked up high and still was not able to get our 38 footer completely level, but there are other sites that look better.
Overall, I recommend it for a quiet retreat.
Cathy O
VerifiedMarch 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great stay! We had site 30 - nice and level, good access to bathhouse, fairly private. Restrooms/showers were clean. The campground was really nice, and we enjoyed a couple good hikes. Trails need repair in spots; be prepared for occasional, low-key bushwhacks where small bridges are out. All in all, a great experience.
Robert R
VerifiedMarch 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Ratcliff park was great! We visited the park for the weekend, we have a 37k Jayco Super C Motorhome and we flat towed our jeep wrangler there with zero problems. Our Motorhome is 13’4” tall and we had no problems at the park. The park has great trails and we enjoyed our spot that had electric and water. We definitely recommend staying here, plus the price is spot on!!!
Lupe D
VerifiedMarch 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
. The restrooms were very clean but there was no soap in the restrooms and The lights in restrooms were not working.
The ranger lady was very sweet and informative. She recommended tte Merlin bird app that helped Mae our stay enjoyable.
Nicholas C
VerifiedFebruary 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Had a good time. Entry was easy, fees were just right, rain on Saturday was unavoidable, but long holiday weekend was pleasant.
Kevin D
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We enjoyed the big trees, the trails, and the peacefulness. It’s a beautiful park. The water hook-up locations could use some improvement.
We will definitely be back.
Jaycee G
VerifiedJanuary 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
My husband and I absolutely love this place!! Super well maintained and wonderful facilities. The lake and the trails are absolutely stunning!!
Samuel D
January 10, 2026
Our family had a wonderful time we will definitely come back to this area.
Frances C
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
There were a few confusing items, like we were told by phone that they had 50 AMP, fact is Ratcliff is 30AMP only. They were kind enough to move us to a Host site with 50 AMP, it was a good thing cause it got in the 20s. Also, we noticed several campers in the wrong camp sites which angered a lot of people to relocate. Noticed people just showing up & picking campsites, didn’t appear to pay for, there was no park rangers available or on site, so people just did what they wanted to. Not even a park host available. Kinda sad.
Dan R
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We now phone in for a reservation and the person on the phone was perfect in helping me get the right spot.
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.
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. |
