Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920.
The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round.
The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable.
The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
Need to Know
- 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.
Natural Features
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
Recreation
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty).
Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl.
Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook.
Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Contact Information
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18551 State Highway 7 East KENNARD TX 75487
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 936-655-2299
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Crockett, take State Highway 7 east for 15 miles. The recreation area is on the left between the towns of Ratcliff and Kennard.
Available Campsites
- Site 047, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 032, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site C Group, Loop Sawmill, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 029, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 001, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site Sawmill Shelter, Loop Sawmill, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 038, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 031, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 049, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 019, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 022, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 044, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 020, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 007, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 013, Loop FS 520, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A Group, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site CCC Shelter, Loop Day Use, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 016, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 035 , Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 040, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 043, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B Group, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 017, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 011, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 002, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 012, Loop FS 520, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site AMP001, Loop Day Use, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 021, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 050, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 039, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 006, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
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