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 033, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site A Group, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 035 , Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 032, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 026, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 027, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 012, Loop FS 520, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 039, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• 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 005, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 008, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 017, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 041, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 048, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site AMP001, Loop Day Use, Type Group Shelter Electric
• Site 011, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site CCC Shelter, Loop Day Use, Type Group Shelter Electric
• Site 013, Loop FS 520, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site Sawmill Shelter, Loop Sawmill, Type Group Shelter Electric
• Site 049, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B Group, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 046, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 003, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 043, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 054, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 007, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 002, Loop LAKESIDE LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C Group, Loop Sawmill, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 053, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 050, Loop LOBLOLLY LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop Sawmill, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 031, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 016, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 036, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric
• Site 018, Loop DOGWOOD LOOP, Type Standard Electric

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