Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: KENNARD, TX, TX
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$35 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (446 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ratcliff-lake-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 45-acre lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 with year-round camping, well-maintained facilities, and excellent outdoor recreation including hiking trails, fishing, boating, and swimming. Campers consistently praise its beautiful piney-woods setting, clean bathrooms, and dog-friendly environment.
Wildlife alert: Timber Rattlesnake present in area; also Eastern Gray Squirrel, Pine Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Green Heron, Great Egret, Smooth Earth Snake, and Eastern River Cooter
Insider tips for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area: Book early—this is a popular federal campground Dog-friendly campground Loop trail and C4 trail available for hiking Swimming area on-site at the lake
Skip Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area if: You need full RV hookups—most sites have no hookups, suitable only for self-contained RVs. You require guaranteed availability without advance reservations.
Best time to visit Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area: Year-round — Facility is open year-round with camping available all seasons.
Nearby campgrounds: Hanks Creek (JASPER, TX), Townsend (San Augustine, TX), Caney Creek (Zavalla, TX), Boykin Springs Camping (Jasper, TX).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Cell signal at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area (KENNARD, TX): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Dog-friendly campground
Loop trail and C4 trail available for hiking
Swimming area on-site at the lake
Facility is open year-round with camping available all seasons
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — National Forests and Grasslands in Texas fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at National Forests and Grasslands in Texas before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area open?+
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What is the cell service like at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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