Texas · published-coordinate region
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Look beyond the campground name. Compare the actual sites and the details that matter to your trip.
USDA Forest Service55Supported overnight records
3Published site categories
55Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.
A closer look at the campground
Overview
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.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.
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.
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.
Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site
How much is documented?
Reported fields across the 55 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.
Party limit
55
Vehicle limit
55
Vehicle length
55
Driveway entry
47
Shade
55
Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.
The campsite mix
Tent Only Nonelectric
27
Standard Electric
25
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
3
Operator 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.
Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.
THE ACTUAL SITES
55 published campsite records
Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.
View all 55 published site records
| SITE / LOOP | TYPE | EQUIPMENT LIMITS | PEOPLE / VEHICLES | DRIVEWAY | ELECTRIC / SHADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 001 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 002 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 003 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 004 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 40 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 005 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 006 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 007 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 008 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 009 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 010 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 011 LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 30 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 012 FS 520 Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 013 FS 520 Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 60 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Parallel 100 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 015 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 016 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 55 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 017 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 018 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 019 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 45 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 020 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 45 ft Tent: 45 ft Trailer: 45 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 45 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 021 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 48 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 022 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 024 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 025 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 45 ft Tent: 45 ft Trailer: 45 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 026 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 35 ft Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 027 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 45 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 028 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 029 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 45 ft Trailer: 45 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 55 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 030 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 60 ft Tent: 60 ft Trailer: 60 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 031 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 55 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 032 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 45 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 033 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 034 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 64 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 035 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 45 ft Tent: 45 ft Trailer: 45 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 45 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 036 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 50 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 037 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 40 ft Tent: 40 ft Trailer: 40 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 038 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 58 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 039 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 35 ft Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Yes |
| Site 040 DOGWOOD LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 50 ft Tent: 50 ft Trailer: 50 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 75 (raw length) | 30 Shade: Full |
| Site 041 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 042 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 043 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 044 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 42 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 045 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 046 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 047 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 048 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 049 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 050 LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Not reported 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 053 Sawmill Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 054 Sawmill Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 055 Sawmill Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 056 Sawmill Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site A Group LAKESIDE LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 10 people 3 vehicles | Not reported 65 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site B Group LOBLOLLY LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 10 people 3 vehicles | Not reported 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site C Group Sawmill Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 10 people 3 vehicles | Pull-Through 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
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