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
Deborah D
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great park with excellent camping facilities. It would be nice if electricity was an option at camping loops other than just Dogwood.
Elizabeth C
January 3, 2026
Perfect place to hike a little or a lot, and so many great sites close to the water for fishing or views.
David H
December 28, 2025
Spent a single night here solo tent camping in late November. Didn’t have a reservation and found a great spot. Facilities were clean, campsite well maintained. Really beautiful lake!
Robert S
VerifiedDecember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Nice campsite. Good staff. A lot of road noise.
Stephen E
VerifiedDecember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful campground for December. I liked the tall pines, oaks, sweet gums and other trees. Nice trails, well marked.
Melissa D
VerifiedDecember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very nice park
Stephen H
VerifiedDecember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Nice and quiet. Clean restrooms. Excellent hiking trails. The two and a half hours it takes to get there are well worth the trip!
Steve F
VerifiedDecember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great experience. No problems noted.
Robert T
VerifiedDecember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The place was lovely. The sites are large, wooded, and fairly separated. We had two sites - one with water and electric hookups, one with electric only. Even with quite a few campers in the park, it seemed peaceful.
The bathroom/shower units were clean. They need more of them, though, to service all the campers.
Keith L
December 6, 2025
Ultimate relaxation … we reserve every Thanksgiving … this year was the best … grounds & facilities were groomed, clean … wonderful.
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. |
