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
SCOTT T
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: B Group, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Nice and quiet. Clean bathrooms.
Timothy A
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Ratcliff Lake provides a nice break from civilization. I especially enjoy the primitive camping.
chad p
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: FS 520
Area and site were very nice
Lisa H
VerifiedJanuary 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The park was very nice. If it wasn’t so cold when I was there I would have done more that just walking around the campground. Not to much with trails since I have 2 dogs. Bathrooms were cleaned daily and the rangers patrolled. I’d love to go back again in warmer weather
Houston B
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
The park was great. I was very impressed by the condition of the rest room/showers. Very clean and in perfect operating condition. I was in the Loplolly Loop and it just so happened that we were about the only people there so that was nice as well. The one thing that may keep me from returning is the traffic noise that comes from Hwy 7. This was winter and the trees were not as thick as they probably are in the spring ans summer which may help but just be aware. Now my buddy said he could not really hear it but he is hard of hearing anyways and when I go camping I am expecting to hear sounds of nature or silence, not road traffic.
Terry E
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
the campground was immaculate. the crew takes really good care of the area. i'm from chicago, and i was quite surprised to find pine and oak forests in texas. it was un-expected and very nice - remininscent of the northwoods in wisconsin.
Brenda W
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Ratcliff Lake area was very peaceful and quiet. It is well kept and clean. We had a restful time there and will go back
Cindy B
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The campsites are not too close together; it is nice to have a bit of room and to settle into nature. The bathhouse seems to be regularly cleaned utilizing bleach. Quiet site with a lot of mature pines.
LINDA H
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very scenic area with spacious campsites under the tall pine trees. Bathrooms are rustic and sparsely furnished with no paper towels or hand soap. Expect the campground to be smoky at night because everyone seems to think that they must have a campfire each night, even when the temps are in the mid 80s during the day. It was fairly quiet even though the highway is nearby.
We visited the Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin and the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest near Nacogdoches. The museum is small but very well done and has great activities for kids both inside and outside. We hiked on the forest trail system and really enjoyed the solitude.
Pat W
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The park was well maintained and the restrooms were cleaned everyday. We enjoyed hiking the many different trails and the lake views. People were fishing in the lake and everyone who visited us commented on how quiet it was. Lufkin isn’t too far and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church.
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. |
