Campground List

CAMPGROUND NAME: Ratcliff Lake

VISIT DATE: 02/22/1997

UPDATE DATE: 8/20/2020

STATE: Texas

REGION: Southern

RANGER DISTRICT: Davy Crockett

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Ratcliff

RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation

DIRECTIONS:
From Ratcliff, TX, take State Rt. 7 west 1 mile to campground
sign.  Turn right at sign into campground.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 200 ft.

The campground, built in in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), 
has four loops -  Lakeshore, Dogwood, Loblolly, and Overflow.  It stretches 
2.2 miles around Ratcliff Lake and has retained its charm and character 
over the years.  

Lakeshore loop is more a spur than a loop.  It is split between a few 
combined campsites, along the campground's main interior road, and lots of 
tent only sites.  Several of these tent only sites are walk-in and are along 
the shoreline.  The campsites at the beginning and end of Lakeshore Loop are 
very spacious while the sites in between have a more intimate feel.  There is 
no bathhouse in Lakeshore Loop; campers use the nearby Dogwood Loop 
facilities.  Privacy between campsites is excellent.

Every campsite in Dogwood Loop, which is a spur and loop, has either electric 
and water hookups (on the spur) or only electric hookups (in the loop).  The 
bathhouse in the spur is an older style with showers that are not wheelchair 
friendly or private.  On the other hand, the bathhouse in Dogwood's internal 
loop is modern with private rooms containing wheelchair friendly showers and 
toilet facilities.  Privacy in this loop is fair.

Loblolly Loop stretches over a point reaching into Ratcliff Lake and has a 
more rustic feel.  All the sites in Loblolly have a view of the lake and the 
day use area can be seen from several campsites.  This loop is more open with 
less middlestory and privacy is good.

Overflow Loop is next to the 4C Mill Site ruins and has the campground's 
playground along with walk-in tent sites on the lake.  The most open and, with 
designated open field parking, least formal of the campground's loops, The 
Overflow Loop is outstanding for large families or groups who want to camp 
together.  This is the only loop where traffic noise might be distracting.  
Privacy varies from fair to excellent.

Ratcliff Lake started as a log pond and source of water for the Central Coal 
and Coke Company (thus the 4C name) Sawmill that operated here from 1902 
through 1920.  The 4C operation removed most of the area's trees.  The 
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company F-4 reforested the land in the 
mid-1930 and the planted Loblolly can be seen throughout the campground (look 
for pine trees standing in straight lines).  The forest is maturing and today, 
along with the pine, the campground enjoys several species of oak, beech, and 
other deciduous trees.  Although the campground is heavily wooded, it is 
spacious with ample room for the various types of living units.

A concession-operated snack bar, convenience store and boat rental (canoes and 
paddle boats) are found in the day use area at front of campground.  A primitive 
boat ramp is also located in this 
area.    

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: No
Open All Year: Yes

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $15 per day - no hookups
$5 addition surcharge for electric hookups

Note: No discount on surcharge

Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 28

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 59
   
   Total Sites: 59
Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 59
No. Grilles on Sites: 59
Equestrian Camping: No

RV INFORMATION
No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0
No. Water and Electric Only: 0
No. Water Only: 0
No. Electric Only: 20

No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: Yes
Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes 
Average Parking Apron Size: See RV Comments

Comments:
The parking aprons are broken asphalt and gravel in Dogwood and 
Loblolly loops, some paved and some dirt in Lakeshore Loop, and 
open field on grass and gravel in the Overflow Loop.  Some 
parking aprons show signs of erosion and leveling may be a 
challenge.  

Dogwood Loop - any size RV
Loblolly Loop - 13' X 35'
Lakeshore Loop - N/A
Overflow Loop - open field parking

BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES
Vaults: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Hot Showers: Yes

Comments:
The bathhouses in the Loblolly and Dogwood Loops (interior loop) 
are modern and wheelchair friendly.

OTHER FACILITIES
Playground: Yes
Public Phone: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 16
  No. Threaded: 16
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): Yes
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Ratcliff Lake is 45 acres.  Power boats limited to electric 
motors.

HIKING
4C Trail (foot only) - 20 miles
Tall Pines Trail - 1.5 miles
Trail Tamers Trail (foot, wheelchair friendly) - 0.75 miles

FISHING   
Largemouth bass, bream and Channel/Blue catfish.  There are wheelchair 
friendly fishing piers.