Davy Crockett/Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

The Great Outdoors

Whether you prefer swimming, fishing, or hiking, when you go RV camping at the Davy Crockett/Ratcliff Lake Rec Area, you’ll be able to enjoy all kinds of outdoor recreation. In the early 1900s, the tree-lined, 45-acre Ratcliff Lake once was a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill. Nowadays, the lake provides a fantastic setting for water sports and other activities throughout the surrounding landscape.Cool off from hot Texas weather by splashing around or lounging lakeside at the Ratcliff Lake swimming area. There’s no lifeguard on duty here, but this family-friendly area does provide a playground to keep the kiddos happily entertained. Boaters should keep in mind that only electric motors are allowed on the lake, which is perfect for paddling around in a kayak or canoe.When you’re camping with an RV here and are a fan of fishing, you’ll be able to cast a line from a fishing platform, a boat ramp, several wooden fishing piers, or an earthen pier. Anglers enjoy fishing at this lake for bream, largemouth bass, and channel/blue catfish species. If hunting is more your thing, the Davy Crockett National Forest has a wide variety of game that you can hunt during the designated season. Ratcliff Lake campers and birding enthusiasts who prefer seeing wildlife from afar should definitely pack binoculars, because this area is home to many wonderful creatures, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.Don’t forget to pack hiking boots and bicycles in your travel trailer. The area features three main hiking trails: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines trail, the 0.75-mile Trail Tamers, and the longer 20-mile Four C trail. Access the trail system right from the Ratcliff Recreation Area and spend a memorable day trekking around diverse forests. Make sure to bring cameras along on your day hike or bike ride to snap epic pics on the Neches Bluff Overlook.After a day of adventures, relax and recharge with a snack at the facility’s picnic areas, which include several shelters and 17 single family picnicking units in the day-use area. Campers planning on RV camping with a large group will also find an amphitheater that is available to reserve for various outdoor events.

Exploring the Area

Renting an RV in this region provides the perfect opportunity to visit the Big Slough Wilderness Area, which is situated around five miles north of the town of Ratcliff along the Neches River. This is the place to be if you’re in the mood for experiencing some peace and quiet in undeveloped nature.With a campsite at the Davy Crockett/Ratcliff Lake Rec Area, you’ll be reasonably close to a number of East Texas towns and cities. Head over to the small community of Ratcliff to stock up on gas and groceries. Nearby is the larger city of Crockett. Crockett is one of the Lone Star state’s oldest cities and is situated in one of its oldest counties, so this is a great spot for history buffs to learn about old-timey Texas.One of the cities that is located nearest to the Davy Crockett/Ratcliff Lake Rec Area is Lufkin, TX. Lufkin is currently the county seat and largest city of Angelina County. When you’re making the rounds in your campervan rental, consider swinging by Lufkin to try some Texas flavors, enjoy some live music, or wander local shops for souvenirs.