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
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
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
Veronica S
October 23, 2021
This has been the place our families have had reunions since the 40s. It is like home because we've all got memories here from when we were small children. The place is beautiful and clean, and the walking trail is wonderful! We all agreed this will definitely be the place to have it here on out.
Stacey M
VerifiedOctober 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very peaceful. Nice clean bathrooms. Shower/Bathrooms are seperate and private.
Ricky C
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very well kept. Clean showers it is my favorite camping area
Camela B
October 9, 2021
Great time had by all! The facility was very accommodating and clean. We couldn't have asked for a better place to relax and enjoy family! We look forward to our next visit.
Stacie H
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
This is a BEAUTIFUL location. Grounds are well kept, sites are very large. Guests were very well behaved. The swimming are is especially nice with the sandy bottom and steps leading into the water. We can't wait to stay here again!!
Johnie C
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: B Group, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Had a real good time. Kids swam. Everyone kayaked. Caught bass, catfish and perch. Bathrooms were very clean. Stayed 2 nights. Definitely will return.
irene r
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
This is a fabulous campground. full of tall pine trees, much space between camp sites. Very clean from the trails to beach to bathrooms. It is very well kept up. We biked, swam, and kayaked. We passed on hiking due to the heat. We launched our kayaks at the swim beach and such soft sand on the feet. The whole experience was wonderful. We met so many campers all enjoying the outdoors. I was impressed with the garbage bins. They use very heavy bags and it was cleaned daily. No overflowing bins and no garage outside of the bins. We highly recommend Ratcliff and we will be back. Thank you for taking such good care and making our trip a complete joy. Job well done!!!!
Kevin H
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The facilities were great and the campground was perfect for a great weekend getaway
John H
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
An exceptional balance between the natural environment and park features that enable camping (in my case RV camping). A heavily forested park surrounding an attractive lake.
William H
VerifiedAugust 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Nice area. No check in office/gate. Honor pay box. There were what looked like camp hosts but we had no interaction with them or what they actual did here. Showers/bathroom dated and fairly clean at first when we arrived but the next day someone defecated on the floor and smeared feces around. Also a pickup truck came in and unloaded a large amount of trash near our site #19 in Dogwood Loop. Since there is no controls to who enters the area or what time of the day we were not feeling real secure. Area had many trees down, grass needed cutting, and it seemed that they were attempting to fix the issue with the trees. It isn't one of the better maintained national forest areas we have been to.
It is a 30-40 minute ride to Crockett, TX to any sizable store or eateries. Water-electric typical with no problems. Our site was level enough without need for blocks.
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. |
