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Davy Crockett/Ratcliff Lake Rec Area
Overview
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area offers a tranquil retreat deep within the Davy Crockett National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this site surrounds a beautiful 45-acre lake. It serves as a historic gateway to the Piney Woods, where towering trees and quiet waters create a classic Texas forest experience. Unlike modern resorts, this park emphasizes a deep connection with nature and a slower pace of life for visiting RVers.
Location & Surroundings
Located just outside of Kennard, TX, the recreation area is immersed in a dense landscape of loblolly pines and hardwood trees. The park is situated far from major highway noise, providing a serene environment where the sounds of local wildlife dominate the air. The East Texas setting provides shaded campsites and a cool canopy that is particularly refreshing during the warmer months, making it a premier destination for those seeking solitude in the forest.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features several loops with RV sites that provide electric and water hookups, though the sites are tailored for a rustic experience. A centralized dump station is available for waste management. Visitors have access to modern conveniences including:
- Clean showers and flush toilets
- A designated swimming area and beach
- Piers for fishing and a ramp for non-motorized boating
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the famous 4C National Recreation Trail, which begins in the park and stretches 20 miles through the forest. The lake is perfect for kayaking and canoeing, as well as fishing for bass and bream. For a bit of history, the Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site and Mission Tejas State Park are just a short drive away, offering a glimpse into the diverse cultural heritage and early settlements of the region.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for nature lovers and hikers who prioritize access to trails and scenic views over luxury resort amenities. It is a wonderful spot for families wanting to unplug and spend time swimming or fishing in a protected environment. Because of the quiet atmosphere and wooded privacy, it is also perfectly suited for birdwatchers and photographers looking to capture the unique flora and fauna of the Texas Piney Woods.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Renee KH
This is a great camping spot in the Davy Crockett Nat'l Forest that is generally well maintained & very beautiful, nestled in the piney-woods of Texas with a quaint & serene little lake at its center.. We made reservations on recreation.gov only because we wanted to secure a site with electric for the holiday weekend as I was afraid even the FCFS spots might be full due to the long weekend, but they absolutely weren't. Unfortunately there was a problem with our reserved site in that the electric didn't work. It was after 5pm when we arrived & the ranger/paid attendant was gone for the day, so I called the recreation.gov 800-number. The lady advised me to cancel before midnight otherwise I would potentially get no refund at all & would have to still pay for a FCFS site, so thats what I did. Turns out talking to the ranger, Bobi Stiles, the next day (who was very nice, btw) that we could have just moved to a FCFS & she would have refunded everything but the $8 reservation fee. We also found out from her if you get an electric site & pay with cash @ their kiosk there in the park all sites are only $20/night ($10 for ys with an Access Pass) whereas recreation.gov always charges an extra $5 for an electric fee 🤔🤔. Regardless, she said she would refund us everything except the rip-off $8 reservation fee & I trust she will, since she was so very nice... Unlike the supposed "camp hosts" in site 23, who need to be fired & thrown out, because when we had trouble after hours another camper advised we go talk to the camp hosts @ site 23, so I went over there. It was still before dark & there were 2 vehicles parked in front of their trailer. There was absolutely no designations of them being park hosts on their site, but that site was also designated as a 'host-only' site on the camp map 🤔, so I trusted our fellow camper was correct in that they were (he also knew their names & told us, but I forget their names). Upon approaching the trailer it was locked up tight, but I could hear a TV was on inside the trailer. I knocked loud enough the first time, but there was no answer. I then knocked a little louder. I then heard what sounded like movement in there, but still no answer. That got me VERY annoyed! These people are obviously freeloaders on the U.S. gov't, so they need to be FIRED & KICKED OUT of the park. This non-response from these freeloader "hosts" and the fact that the shower water didn't stay warm very long is the only reasons why I gave this place a 4 instead of a 5. The reseration debacle I blame more on reservarion.gov than the facility (even though I know the electric not working is a facility issue). I was just so aggravated at having even bern bothered to make a reservation online & pay essentially a total of $13 more for doing so when we had to take a FCFS site anyway 😑. Turns out they had plenty of FCFS sites throughout the park for both the week & weekend for us to slip into another site with electric (at least during this time of year) so that was no big deal. We just paid the flat $10/night dropping it off in an envelope. I also will be checking to see if Bobi refunded us the remaining $ we paid for the last night that recreation.gov refused to refund us & will update this post later. Other than all that we love this park.
Mehran Timori
Great camping spot, It has everything you need for camping. Restrooms are decent and clean, the lake is absolutely beautiful, and the nature is amazing. Make sure you reserve or go earlier to get a better spot. There is always some FF spots but others are reserved.
Qadeer Timori
Beautiful lake view, peaceful tall pines, nice walking trails, and a good spot for swimming.
Marie Snodgrass
Such a beautiful area in East Texas. My daughters came to visit and we took a trip for a 'photo op'. We all loved it.
Kiara Bettencourt
Beautiful woods in this area. The lake was nice and we enjoyed a little picnic by the lake under the pines. We would have stayed longer and fished but we just did this spontaneously, so we'll have to come here another time. The only issue is that it was astoundingly crowded. The main reason we didn't stay longer than a picnic. I think this will be nice to revisit in the off season, but otherwise, expect it to be completely packed.