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
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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 (891)
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
Douglas R
VerifiedApril 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
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
VerifiedApril 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
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
Dan B
VerifiedApril 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
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
VerifiedApril 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
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
VerifiedApril 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
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
VerifiedApril 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
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
VerifiedApril 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
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
VerifiedMarch 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great RV Site in Dogwood Loop. Big and pretty campsites with electric and water.
Kevin M
VerifiedMarch 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great RV Site in Dogwood Loop. Big and pretty campsites with electric and water.
Paul C
VerifiedMarch 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very beautiful clean park. Well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay. We will definitely mark this as a park to return to.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 31.3883 / -95.155
Elevation: 100 feet
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
