CampgroundDay Use

Facilities

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.

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.

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.

Recreation Sites

  • Tent Only Nonelectric
  • Standard Electric
  • Management
  • Group Shelter Electric
  • Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
  • Overnight
  • Day

Activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Day Use Area
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking

Amenities

  • Boat Ramp
  • Dump Station
  • Trailheads
  • Picnic Table
  • Lantern Pole
  • Tent Pad
  • Grills/Fire Ring
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Water Hookup
  • Lean To/Shelter
  • Fire Pit

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.

Getting Here

Latitude
31° 23' 17.9999" N
Longitude
95° 9' 18.0000" W
From Crockett, take State Highway 7 east for 15 miles. The recreation area is on the left between the towns of Ratcliff and Kennard.

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.

    • Contact Information

    18551 State Highway 7 East
    KENNARD, TX 75487

    For campground inquiries, please call: 936-655-2299

    Additional Information

    Campgrounds Nearby

    1 - 0 of 0 entries