Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Hosted by USDA Forest Service
New listing
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. 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, centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins in Houston and Trinity Counties. Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provide 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, and 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. 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, and two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are 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. 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. The Big Slough Wilderness Area, 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.
- Pet friendly
Location
AMP001
Day Use · GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC · Day
- Max Num of People
- 50
- Max Vehicle Length
- 0
- Shade
- Full
Campsites58
Kennard, TX
To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Amenities
Campfires allowed
Electric hookups
Fire pits
Grills
Picnic tables
Sewer hookups
Shade
Water hookups
Site features
Driveway surface
Paved (varies by site)
Max vehicle length
Typically 40 ft, up to 50 ft
Site length
Up to 80 ft
Site width
Typically 30 ft, up to 35 ft
Proximity to water
Lakefront
Hike-in distance
Up to 130 ft
RV
Up to 50 ft
Tent
Typically 35 ft, up to 50 ft
Trailer
Up to 50 ft
Boating
Camping
Canoeing
Day Use Area
Fishing
Hiking
Historic & Cultural Site
Kayaking
Swimming Site
Rules & policies
Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
People per site
Up to 8
Vehicles per site
Up to 2
Camping equipment required
Pets allowed
Reviews
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USDA Forest Service
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