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
Beth A
VerifiedApril 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
As new campers, we found Ratcliff to be a perfect place. There is natural beauty and well equipped sites. The bathrooms were clean, as was the entire park. Our hosts were exceptional. They were friendly and helpful and very kind to our shy dog.
James M
VerifiedApril 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Outstanding park. Great trails. Nice lake for kayaking. Overall enjoyable experience.
James M
VerifiedApril 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Outstanding park. Great trails. Nice lake for kayaking. Overall enjoyable experience.
David V
VerifiedApril 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Nice small park, very clean and still very roomy lot. Could use a few additional info on available trails
David V
VerifiedApril 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Nice small park, very clean and still very roomy lot. Could use a few additional info on available trails
Tommy O
VerifiedMarch 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We were here 32 years ago. Just returned this year. Beautiful camping location. Some sites with water hookups have connections that are far away. Our faucet leaked so we just operated with our fresh tank. Great hiking trails. All the RV sites are back from lake. Only tent camping next to water. It would be nice if some RV sites were on the water. I will come here again.
Tommy O
VerifiedMarch 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We were here 32 years ago. Just returned this year. Beautiful camping location. Some sites with water hookups have connections that are far away. Our faucet leaked so we just operated with our fresh tank. Great hiking trails. All the RV sites are back from lake. Only tent camping next to water. It would be nice if some RV sites were on the water. I will come here again.
Patricia K
VerifiedMarch 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful place! Lots of beautiful trees, pretty lake. Good hiking trails. I camped 2 nights. Water was a bit far, so make sure you have a water hose extension. The fire ring was about 2 feet high, so the fire isn't as accessible as a typical fire ring. The campsites are spaced out fairly well. The restrooms were fairly clean, though people don't always clean up after themselves. The showers had great pressure and plenty of hot water. My camping experience was wonderful.
Glenn C
VerifiedMarch 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
One of my favorite places to camp...great campsites, clean and well maintained park, excellent park hosts!
Glenn C
VerifiedMarch 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
One of my favorite places to camp...great campsites, clean and well maintained park, excellent park hosts!
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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
