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
Jeffrey D
VerifiedNovember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very well kept park. Friendly hosts. Beautiful trees and lake. We had a great time.
Eugena V
VerifiedNovember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
This is a well maintained, beautiful little park. The tent sites are spacious and most are right on the lake. The bathrooms were clean and in good shape. Plenty of access to potable water. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the noise. The road noise from Highway 7 is awful, and nearly constant. Also, there is not much, if any, enforcement of quiet hours and no information about who to contact after business hours. Essentially, if you are looking for peace and quiet, especially at night, this is not the place.
Jeffrey D
VerifiedNovember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Very well kept park. Friendly hosts. Beautiful trees and lake. We had a great time.
Charlotte D
November 25, 2020
Beautiful area in November.
Charlotte D
November 25, 2020
Beautiful area in November.
Douglas R
November 22, 2020
A wonderful family friendly place to camp. The staff was helpful and the campsite was very quiet after dark with no loud partying etc. Be weary when walking off trail during hunting season as I heard multiple rifle shots every morning. Water was not far from the site and the restrooms were very clean. They also cleaned them daily. You will enjoy this close get away from city life. We will be back again soon.
Benjamin L
November 22, 2020
Loved it. Nice trails, great swimming hole, lovely forests. Nieces and nephews had a blast.
Douglas R
November 22, 2020
A wonderful family friendly place to camp. The staff was helpful and the campsite was very quiet after dark with no loud partying etc. Be weary when walking off trail during hunting season as I heard multiple rifle shots every morning. Water was not far from the site and the restrooms were very clean. They also cleaned them daily. You will enjoy this close get away from city life. We will be back again soon.
Benjamin L
November 22, 2020
Loved it. Nice trails, great swimming hole, lovely forests. Nieces and nephews had a blast.
Leslie J
VerifiedNovember 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LAKESIDE LOOP
If you want to get away from things, hang out in the forest, but still have access to clean restroom facilities, an autumn visit here is the place to be. The lake is nice and at least partly visible from most campsites. The hosts are always friendly. While we just go to rest, read and spend time together by a campfire, there are trails and a day area with a boat ramp, swimming area, fishing piers, and group areas that include a pavilion and amphitheater.
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
