Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

Photo · Unknown

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

65Sites

60 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 65

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric
Day Use	AMP001	group shelter electric	—	15
Day Use	CCC Shelter	group shelter electric	—	15
DOGWOOD LOOP	014 Host	management	45 ft	—
DOGWOOD LOOP	015	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	016	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	017	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	018	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	019	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	020	standard electric	45 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	021	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	022	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	023	management	45 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	024	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	025	standard electric	45 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	026	standard electric	35 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	027	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	028	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	029	standard electric	45 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	030	standard electric	60 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	031	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	032	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	033	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	034	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	035	standard electric	45 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	036	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	037	standard electric	40 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	038	standard electric	50 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	039	standard electric	35 ft	30
DOGWOOD LOOP	040	standard electric	50 ft	30
FS 520	012	tent only nonelectric	15 ft	—
FS 520	013	tent only nonelectric	60 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	001	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	002	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	003	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	004	tent only nonelectric	40 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	005	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	006	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	007	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	008	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	009	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	010	tent only nonelectric	15 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	011	tent only nonelectric	30 ft	—
LAKESIDE LOOP	A Group	group tent only area nonelectric	60 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	041	tent only nonelectric	35 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	042	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	043	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	044	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	045	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	046	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	047	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	048	tent only nonelectric	35 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	049	tent only nonelectric	35 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	050	tent only nonelectric	20 ft	—
LOBLOLLY LOOP	051 Host	management	40 ft	30
LOBLOLLY LOOP	B Group	group tent only area nonelectric	40 ft	—
S and P	S and P Group tent	management	—	—
S and P	S and P Standard	management	—	—
S and P	S and P Tent	management	—	—
Sawmill	052 Host	management	40 ft	—
Sawmill	053	tent only nonelectric	35 ft	—

SHOWING 60 OF 65 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

Standard Electric sites: Add$5.00 / night electical hookup fee

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in TX-17. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard