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
Asad M
VerifiedNovember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very nice, quiet camp ground with some spots that can be reserved online, and others that are first come first get. Tall pine trees. Small serene lake (more of a pond). very clean bathrooms with hot water. A 3 mile hike loop that is well marked, rather flat (good for the whole family) and picturesque. Perfect for a weekend away from city chaos.
Ronda M
VerifiedNovember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Such a quiet and great park. The lake is beautiful.
Mike F
November 7, 2025
fills up quick in hunting season
William P
VerifiedNovember 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
The campgrounds and lake were beautiful, but our campsite was infested with copperhead snakes. We didn't even stay one night, because as soon as the sun set we saw over 10 copperheads in our site within 30 minutes.
Chris G
VerifiedNovember 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great camping and swimming area. This is a very peaceful campground with lots of trails.
Jerod M
November 4, 2025
This is a wonderful park.
Tommy S
VerifiedNovember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
When we visited this park, there was hardly anyone there. It was so peaceful and quiet. There is great fishing and plenty of deer to watch.
The bathhouse in our area of the park was run down and the lights didn't work in one of them. But the park host said to drive up to the one at the far end of the camp. It was so much better and I didn't mind the drive since there were more deer to watch on that end.
We will be back!
Evie G
VerifiedNovember 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
always love going down to the quiet, spacious, tall-treed campground!
Paul M
VerifiedOctober 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Ratcliff is a beautiful and peaceful spot in the tall pines. We always enjoy our days there, walking, fishing, sitting, and just soaking up Nature.
Wendy H
VerifiedOctober 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Happy to have facilities mostly clean and stocked during govt shutdown so we could use. Light fixtures in the shower rooms in Dogwood loop need attention so lights work all the time in all 4 rooms. Fans don’t work when lights don’t come on and that’s a problem for showering. We had an enjoyable time there.
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. |
