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
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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
Daniel L
VerifiedOctober 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Site was very large and peaceful. We spend two nights at Mission Tejas State Park prior to switching campsites. Lake Ratcliff needs a better name, but it is beautiful and spread out in comparison to Mission Tejas. Both are beautiful, but Lake Ratcliff was a dramatically less crowded and the vibe was a bit more chill. Also the bathhouse was exceptionally clean well maintained.
Barrett L
VerifiedOctober 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Loved the hiking and lake is a perfect size
Barrett L
VerifiedOctober 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Loved the hiking and lake is a perfect size
Jacob L
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Big campsites, clean bathrooms. Perfect for big families. We will be back. We did see quite a bit of poison ivy and fire ant mounds so keep an eye on your little ones.
Nick B
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Second time back to Ratcliff Lake and it was great! We hiked the 4c trail and loved it.
Jacob L
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Big campsites, clean bathrooms. Perfect for big families. We will be back. We did see quite a bit of poison ivy and fire ant mounds so keep an eye on your little ones.
Nick B
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Second time back to Ratcliff Lake and it was great! We hiked the 4c trail and loved it.
Harish N
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The water tap and electrical power were far of from each other. We tried parking the RV in diagonal direction but still were unable to connect both to the RV. Fortunately the park security gave us an extension water hose which helped a lot. Please make sure to get an extension water hose to connect.
Harish N
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
The water tap and electrical power were far of from each other. We tried parking the RV in diagonal direction but still were unable to connect both to the RV. Fortunately the park security gave us an extension water hose which helped a lot. Please make sure to get an extension water hose to connect.
Jerry C
September 26, 2020
Beautiful well kept campground. Nice for leisurely evening bike rides.
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
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
