Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Texas · full hookups in Texas · first-come in Texas · reservable in Texas · big rigs in Texas · pets allowed in Texas · group sites in Texas
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 27 |
| Standard with electric | 25 |
| group shelter electric | 3 |
| Group tent areas | 3 |
| Host/management | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
58 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 015 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 016 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 017 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 018 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 019 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 020 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 021 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 022 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 024 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 025 | DOGWOOD LOOP | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Standard Electric sites: Add $5.00 / night electical hookup fee |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | National Forests and Grasslands in Texas |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable. Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Crockett, take State Highway 7 east for 15 miles. The recreation area is on the left between the towns of Ratcliff and Kennard.
| Nearest town | Kennard, Texas |
| Coordinates | 31.3883° N, 95.1550° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Trinity 9426
22 mi from the campground · 191 acres · 0% contained
- PrescribedRx Trinity 9276
23 mi from the campground · 64 acres · 0% contained
- PrescribedRx Nacogdoches 9218
24 mi from the campground · 10 acres · 0% contained
- PrescribedRx Trinity 9242
24 mi from the campground · 69 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area - Davy Crockett National Forest
Worth a stop
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.
- under 0.1 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miRatcliff Lakeshore0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 0.1 miFour C (4c'S) ↗19.7 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.4 miTrail Tamers Trail ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 0.4 miTall Pines0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 4.7 miPiney Cr. (blue) ↗10.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Big Slough Wilderness begins about 5.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.8 miBig Slough Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,521 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Texas
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Standard Electric sites: Add $5.00 / night electical hookup fee
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area have?
65 sites, including 27 tent-only sites, 25 standard sites with power, 3 group shelter electric, and 3 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation