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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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 (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
Trisha C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Has been one of my favorite places since I was a child and now it's one of my children's favorites
Meredith L
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Beautiful scenery, walking trails are full of different plants and critters to view. Well marked and clean. Bathrooms were well maintained. Will definitely be returning in the future!
Tyleil B
VerifiedJuly 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
I have done a lot of camping and this is by far one of my favorite places to go in Texas. Campsites are clean and well spaced out. The staff does a great job up of keeping campers updated on potential hazards. I was able to fish unbothered by other campers, there were water stations throughout the national forest that helped in the middle of the summer. Also, plenty of space for animals if you have a dog. Will be back very soon.
Anthony M
July 9, 2022
Enjoyed the facilities .
Bobby S
VerifiedJune 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
I tent camped one night. Tent sites are right on lake front. Very quiet.
Aaron J
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is a nice place to camp. Each site is spacious and spread apart from the others giving everyone nice privacy. Everything is kept extremely clean. The staff was even there cleaning the bathrooms and showers on Easter. I don't know if it was just a bad 4 days but the only bad thing I have to say about my experience was that the fishing was not good at all. There was about 10 to 15 people fishing all at once one of the 4 days I was there and none of us got a single bite. If I remember reading correctly, this lake is stocked. Well if that is true, I would request that the lake be stocked more often. Other than that, I would strongly suggest camping at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
David S
VerifiedApril 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
This is now my favorite camping spot in Texas. It’s a little difficult getting kayaks in and out of the water but it was worth it! The fishing was incredible. Also, the other campers and park staff were all super nice.
Wayne V
VerifiedApril 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
The campsite was right on the lake and very nice. I took a nice hike around the lake. I definitely plan to return.
Mary C
VerifiedMarch 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
This is a lovely campground with a east Texas feel. The sites are large and open, but the park is really not that large. We camped near the lake the first time, but it is a bit of a hoof to the bathroom. The second time we were closer to bathroom, but still nice sites.
Charles J
VerifiedMarch 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Beautiful campground that is well maintained with awesome pine trees and lake. The 4-C trail also provided great hiking. As others have noted, Highway 7 is pretty loud, especially at night, but the noise isn’t anywhere near as loud as living in the city.
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. |
