Last October, my friend Lizzie and I found an absolute gem of a campground nestled in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Though we initially booked our site because it was one of the few places that had availability for the weekend that we were looking to go, we ended up falling in love with Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and the surrounding woodlands.
The park had everything we wanted— hiking trails, a swimming hole, kayaking opportunities, and a campsite tucked away under towering pines.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area!
Where is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Ratcliff Lake is located in East Texas, about 30 minutes west of Lufkin.
If you live in a major Texas metro area, you’ll have to venture out more than a few hours, but that’s part of the fun! Here’s the estimated drive time from the big cities:
- Austin: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Dallas: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Houston: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- San Antonio: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Waco: 2 hours, 30 minutes
What to do at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
The park isn’t huge, but there’s plenty to do!
Camp
There are 56 campsites at Ratcliff Lake, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and water spigots and can accommodate RVs and vehicles up to 50 ft. You’ll also find flush toilets and showers (both hot and cold) near the sites.
Like many recreation areas, the campsites aren’t secluded, so be prepared to be near some friendly neighbors. The sites, however, are more spread out than other parks I’ve been to, so you’re never on top of the people next to you. You can even find some sites that are more tucked away and hidden by trees. If you’re more particular, recreation.gov has photos of most sites so you can pick the perfect one!
Hike
If you like hiking, there are several trails in the park, as well as the trailhead to the 4C Trail. The 4C is a 20-mile trek through the forest, ending at the Neches Bluff Overlook. A tornado took out the northern portion of the trail in 2019, and part of it remains closed. Be sure to check in with the Forest Service website to get the latest information before you go.
The trails within the park aren’t too strenuous and gently wind through the woods and along the lake.
Swimming
There’s a roped-off designated swimming area near the lake’s small boat ramp. The water was a little chilly in October, but it looks like it’d be perfect for those sizzling summer months. There’s no lifeguard on duty, and the water may be a little deep for youngsters so be sure to pack some life jackets or floaties if you have inexperienced swimmers.
Kayaking and canoeing
Ratcliff Lake is perfect for exploring via kayak. The lake isn’t too large, so you can easily check out every corner of the lake in one paddle session. Gas motors aren’t allowed, so you can be assured you’ll have a nice, peaceful experience. We took out my Intex Explorer K2, and it did great! We paddled around the perimeter of the lake and explored a little cove that winds into a short creek.
Fishing
While we were on the lake, we came across a few folks fishing. We couldn’t tell if the fish were biting, but I’ve read it’s a decent fishing hole for largemouth bass, blue cats, and channel cats. There are two piers, one wooden platform, and one earthen platform to fish from. If you want to toss a line, be sure to get the appropriate fishing license!
Other attractions close to Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
There’s plenty to do in the park for at least a weekend, but if you find yourself staying longer or wanting to explore outside, here are some other attractions nearby.
Lufkin
We ventured to the charming small town of Lufkin on one of our days. We walked around the historic downtown area and discovered a cute artsy scene. If you want to spend more time in town, be sure to check out the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau to learn more about seasonal events and places of interest.
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
Learn about the history of the Caddo Hasinai Native Americans at the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site. Here, you can view the earthen mounds created by this tribe hundreds of years ago. The El Camino Real de Los Tejas also runs through this historic site, giving visitors the opportunity to walk along a path that dates back to the Spanish colonial era.
Mission Tejas State Park
We didn’t get a chance to visit, but Mission Tejas State Park is less than 30 minutes away from Ratcliff Lake. At this park, you can hike 8.5 more miles of trails, fish in the San Pedro Creek, picnic, camp, nature watch, or geocache.
Overall thoughts
My overall Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area review is two thumbs up! It’s a great, quiet park for a weekend getaway with friends or family, and it has something for everyone. I adored the towering loblolly pines and the unique history that the area offered. I definitely plan on returning and pointing more occasional campers to this unique Texas location!
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