Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

Ratcliff Lake began as a log pond. The Forest Service says the lake covers about 45 acres and once supplied water to the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill, which operated from 1902 to 1920. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the recreation area in 1936, according to the Forest Service and the Living New Deal. The recreation area is in the Davy Crockett National Forest in Houston County, near Kennard.

The Living New Deal lists a swimming beach and bathhouse, a concession stand, an amphitheater, an interpretive forest trail, showers, boating and fishing. The Forest Service lists swimming, non-motorized boating, and lake and pond fishing. The Four C National Recreation Trail starts at Ratcliff, runs 20 miles and ends at the Neches Bluff Overlook, and day hiking is also available.

From Crockett, take Highway 7 east 15 miles and turn left at the entrance road; from Lufkin, take Highway 103 west 16 miles to Highway 7 and continue west 12 miles. Day use is $5 per vehicle. A single campsite is $15 per night, or $20 with 30-amp electric, and a group site is $30 a day for up to 20 people. Some sites can be reserved at recreation.gov or at 1-877-444-6777. Horses and pack animals are not allowed.