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
Alexander K
VerifiedOctober 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Amazing cozy campground. Well maintained and plenty of space around.
Sandi M
VerifiedOctober 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful. Quiet campground
Sandi M
VerifiedOctober 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful. Quiet campground
Eric R
VerifiedOctober 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Great campsite with much to do: hike, fish, and relax. Bathrooms were decently maintained. The trail needs maintenance, particularly on the bridges. Next site to us was partying until 3am. Some sort of noise enforcement is encouraged, atleast a camp host contact phone number. However, overall I reommend for a trip to the forest.
Eric R
VerifiedOctober 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Great campsite with much to do: hike, fish, and relax. Bathrooms were decently maintained. The trail needs maintenance, particularly on the bridges. Next site to us was partying until 3am. Some sort of noise enforcement is encouraged, atleast a camp host contact phone number. However, overall I reommend for a trip to the forest.
Will B
VerifiedOctober 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful, generally quiet, low crowd campground. Staff and camp host are friendly and helpful. Nicely spaced sites with plenty of shade. Each site has a table and steel fire ring with grill bars. Dogwood loop is for RVs or tents. Each site has power and water access is generally available along the roads and at many individual sites. Bathroom/showers are adequate and fairly clean.
Will B
VerifiedOctober 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Beautiful, generally quiet, low crowd campground. Staff and camp host are friendly and helpful. Nicely spaced sites with plenty of shade. Each site has a table and steel fire ring with grill bars. Dogwood loop is for RVs or tents. Each site has power and water access is generally available along the roads and at many individual sites. Bathroom/showers are adequate and fairly clean.
Tiffany W
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Beautiful and peaceful place to camp. We loved it.
Tiffany W
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
Beautiful and peaceful place to camp. We loved it.
Kathie C
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Campsites are large but drives are not well-maintained. Quiet and peaceful except for highway noise. Close to home so we will try it again. Should note that not all sites have water hookups at that location. We had to use a 100’ hose for hookup.
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
