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
Eliot F
VerifiedNovember 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: FS 520
2nd times in this same campsite, still love it with space surrounding and all beautiful tall pine trees. One thing I didn’t like and didn’t know is the parking spot is 25 yards away from picnic table and fire pit which I didn’t like with carry camping stuff and food back and forth. But I did enjoy it there. First time there used to be no tall bulrushes along the edge of the lake but now it is which I can’t go fishing closest to my camp site.
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.
Kenneth J
VerifiedNovember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very clean park. Bathrooms are in good condition. Lots of space for each camp site.
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.
Kenneth J
VerifiedNovember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: LOBLOLLY LOOP
Very clean park. Bathrooms are in good condition. Lots of space for each camp site.
Ronda M
VerifiedNovember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: DOGWOOD LOOP
Such a quiet and great park. The lake is beautiful.
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
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.
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
