Openings · last 7 days
15
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 15 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234362
When Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area reopens
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
22
Openings · last 90 days
26
Only 26 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 58 monitored sites
Of the 10,431 tracked site-dates (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 5,652 open for online reservation · 710 reserved · 4,069 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 58 monitored sites, 35 can be reserved online and 22 are first-come, first-served (1 closed).
Where the open windows are
45.8% of tracked site-dates are not currently open for online reservation. 5,652 of 10,431 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online45.8%
Open site-dates5,652 / 10,431
Reserved (of online inventory)710 / 6,362
Weekday openings3,153
Weekend openings2,156
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 3,153 fall on weekdays and 2,156 on weekends (Fri–Sun). The split covers the 5,309 open site-nights on mapped sites; 5,652 site-dates are open across all monitored inventory.
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027January holds the most room. 1,080 of 1,767 site-dates are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 54 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 16 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 19 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 24 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 32 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 32 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 31 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 30 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 16 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 32 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 30 sites are available for the complete two-night stay.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 2 day-use units| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 2 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 2 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 2 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 2 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 2 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date. Thanksgiving: no day-use unit is currently available for all three dates. Thursday has no online availability; individual Friday and Saturday dates remain open. Christmas: 2 day-use units are available for both dates. New Year: 2 day-use units are available for both dates.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 006 | 178 |
| 003 | 177 |
| 010 | 176 |
| 050 | 176 |
| 042 | 175 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| CCC Shelter | 173 |
| Sawmill Shelter | 170 |
The 2 day-use units with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateSun · Sep 20
Next open weekendFri · Sep 25
The next bookable night is Sep 20; the first open weekend starts Sep 25. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
5,309 open site-nights across 33 sites at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
55 overnight sites and 2 day-use units are represented in the current inventory. Day-use units are excluded from every night-based figure on this page — site-nights, longest runs, multi-night stays, holiday stays and RV fit; their reservation dates are listed separately below.
Multi-night stays. 189 2-night, 184 3-night, 119 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 20 at site 003.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 60 ft. 37 sites take 25 ft, 36 sites take 35 ft, 27 sites take 40 ft.
All 33 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 006 | 20 ft | None | 178 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +166 more |
| 003 | 20 ft | None | 177 | 125 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +165 more |
| 010 | 15 ft | None | 176 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +164 more |
| 050 | 20 ft | None | 176 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +164 more |
| 042 | 20 ft | None | 175 | 160 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 3, Oct 4 +163 more |
| 012 | 15 ft | None | 174 | 118 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +162 more |
| 008 | 20 ft | None | 173 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +161 more |
| 044 | 20 ft | None | 171 | 125 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +159 more |
| 002 | 20 ft | None | 170 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 3 +158 more |
| 035 | 45 ft | Yes | 170 | 111 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +158 more |
| 037 | 40 ft | Yes | 170 | 117 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +158 more |
| 004 | 40 ft | None | 168 | 93 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +156 more |
| 030 | 60 ft | Yes | 168 | 130 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +156 more |
| 021 | 50 ft | Yes | 166 | 124 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +154 more |
| C Group | 40 ft | None | 166 | 110 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +154 more |
| 027 | 50 ft | Yes | 163 | 104 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +151 more |
| 046 | 20 ft | None | 163 | 125 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5 +151 more |
| 047 | 20 ft | None | 160 | 88 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +148 more |
| A Group | 60 ft | None | 160 | 76 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +148 more |
| 039 | 35 ft | Yes | 158 | 77 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +146 more |
| 016 | 50 ft | Yes | 157 | 125 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +145 more |
| 028 | 50 ft | Yes | 157 | 112 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +145 more |
| B Group | 40 ft | None | 157 | 88 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +145 more |
| 024 | 50 ft | Yes | 154 | 126 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 15 +142 more |
| 038 | 50 ft | Yes | 152 | 113 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +140 more |
| 017 | 50 ft | Yes | 148 | 76 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +136 more |
| 018 | 50 ft | Yes | 146 | 102 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +134 more |
| 033 | 50 ft | Yes | 146 | 110 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +134 more |
| 034 | 50 ft | Yes | 144 | 111 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +132 more |
| 019 | 50 ft | Yes | 143 | 111 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 15 +131 more |
| 040 | 50 ft | Yes | 143 | 78 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 15 +131 more |
| 036 | 50 ft | Yes | 142 | 73 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +130 more |
| 015 | 50 ft | Yes | 138 | 80 nights | Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 8, Oct 12 +126 more |
Day-use inventory
343 available reservation dates across 2 day-use units. Day-use inventory is reserved by the date, so it carries no stay length.
All 2 day-use units with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCC Shelter | 173 | 113 dates | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +161 more |
| Sawmill Shelter | 170 | 112 dates | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +158 more |
About Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Overview
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. Camping is available year-round.
The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Recreation
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Facilities
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable. The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
Natural Features
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
58 monitored sites22 FCFS sitesRVs up to 60 ft24 with hookups54 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 10
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.
18551 State Highway 7 East, Kennard, TX 75487936-655-2299
BoatingCampingCanoeingDay Use AreaFishingHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteKayakingSwimming Site
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-234362 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-234362 · Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area · Kennard TX12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Reservations for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area are made through Recreation.gov. 5,652 of 10,431 tracked site-dates are currently open (54.2%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 26 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site or unit on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 13:18 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
Campsite Sniper detected 15 site-date openings at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area in the last 7 days, 22 over 30 days and 26 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
184 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 20 at site 003. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area fit a 35-foot RV?
36 of the 54 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 60 ft.
Which month has the most availability at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
January 2027, with 1,080 open site-dates in the current snapshot of 1,767.
When is the next open date at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sun, Sep 20 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 25. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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We run paced availability checks for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. One watch covers every matching online-reservable site.
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When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.
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