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
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.
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.
Tiffany O
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Clean restrooms. Beautiful and quiet camp sites.
Leigh E
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
I was so pleasantly surprised. The park is so well taken care of the restrooms are cleaned and disinfected by lunch every day. There’s plenty of space for my grandchildren to explore and enjoy. We will definitely be back. Thank you to the Ratcliff lake staff!
Tiffany O
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Clean restrooms. Beautiful and quiet camp sites.
Leigh E
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
I was so pleasantly surprised. The park is so well taken care of the restrooms are cleaned and disinfected by lunch every day. There’s plenty of space for my grandchildren to explore and enjoy. We will definitely be back. Thank you to the Ratcliff lake staff!
Laura M
VerifiedAugust 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very clean campground. Lots of shade. Great place.
Laura M
VerifiedAugust 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very clean campground. Lots of shade. Great place.
Godwin Ajit D
VerifiedJuly 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
The tent camping site was very good. It was close to the lake and neat. There was a clean restroom with shower. We enjoyed our stay.
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
