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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Rates, 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 (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
LINDA H
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very scenic area with spacious campsites under the tall pine trees. Bathrooms are rustic and sparsely furnished with no paper towels or hand soap. Expect the campground to be smoky at night because everyone seems to think that they must have a campfire each night, even when the temps are in the mid 80s during the day. It was fairly quiet even though the highway is nearby.
We visited the Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin and the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest near Nacogdoches. The museum is small but very well done and has great activities for kids both inside and outside. We hiked on the forest trail system and really enjoyed the solitude.
Pat W
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The park was well maintained and the restrooms were cleaned everyday. We enjoyed hiking the many different trails and the lake views. People were fishing in the lake and everyone who visited us commented on how quiet it was. Lufkin isn’t too far and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church.
Pat W
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The park was well maintained and the restrooms were cleaned everyday. We enjoyed hiking the many different trails and the lake views. People were fishing in the lake and everyone who visited us commented on how quiet it was. Lufkin isn’t too far and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church.
Brandon S
VerifiedDecember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great park great trails and Lake.
Brandon S
VerifiedDecember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great park great trails and Lake.
Raymond C
VerifiedDecember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great place. Quiet, pretty nice.
Thomas B
VerifiedDecember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We stayed for 2 weeks. Conveniently located. Good hikes from the campground. Plenty of space between sited. Facilities very clean.
Raymond C
VerifiedDecember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Great place. Quiet, pretty nice.
Thomas B
VerifiedDecember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
We stayed for 2 weeks. Conveniently located. Good hikes from the campground. Plenty of space between sited. Facilities very clean.
Lynn S
VerifiedDecember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very nice and quiet. Restroom facilities clean.
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
