USDA Forest Service · Texas
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service · Texas, United States
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 351 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- RATCLIFF LAKE R A (NFSR 520) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Activities
- Camping, Tent, Camping, Trailer
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
US Forest Service campground. 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 area offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing and hiking. The Four C National Recreation Trail is 20 miles and originates in the Ratcliff Recreation Area and goes to the Neches Bluff Overlook. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Fees
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $15 per night
Single Site with electric hook-up (30 amp): $20 per night
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
Group Site: $30 per day (up to 20 people; three vehicles)
Additional Vehicle Fee: $5 per vehicle per day
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59° | 40° | 17° | 77° | 6 of 11 |
| February | 64° | 45° | 0° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| March | 71° | 54° | 31° | 83° | 1 of 11 |
| April | 78° | 60° | 45° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 86° | 69° | 60° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 91° | 75° | 65° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 93° | 77° | 70° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 97° | 79° | 72° | 105° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 89° | 72° | 61° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 80° | 60° | 44° | 95° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 71° | 54° | 29° | 83° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 62° | 45° | 32° | 80° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
All 84 trails in National Forests in Texas
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 65 sites
- Mission Tejas State Park · Texas State Parks · 12 mi · 21 sites
- Hanks Creek · Army Corps of Engineers · 45 mi · 57 sites
- Wolf Creek Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 50 mi · 102 sites
- Townsend · USDA Forest Service · 50 mi · 26 sites
All public campgrounds in Texas · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-06. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.