Best Campgrounds near Kennard, TX

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Kennard, TX is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Kennard is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Kennard, TX. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Kennard, Texas (69)

    1. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    $15 - $35 / night

    "Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. "

    "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"

    2. Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Alto, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "We took our kids and set up camp in a spot tucked away from the main dirt road. The camp site was serene and there was a hiking trail nearby. We car camped with two toddlers and they had a blast."

    "I spent one night over there we enjoy it me and my dog had some breakfast in the morning stay until about 1 PM and then we win unexplored around, and then enjoy some off roads. I be back."

    3. Mission Tejas State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Alto, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 687-2394

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Sites A and B are next to the day usage areas of the park, and are separated from the RV accessible areas."

    "Only two hours away from Houston. Great park to shade yourself from the Texas summer sun. It was hot but 90% of the trails are covered by shade."

    4. Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I wish we'd had more than 2 days here to explore."

    "Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."

    5. 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!"

    6. White Rock Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Kennard, TX
    6 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Great hiking / horse riding trails around.  Would not recommend this area during hunting season.  Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers.  If RVing, will need levelers."

    7. Salmon Lake Park & Resort

    3 Reviews
    Grapeland, TX
    20 miles
    Website

    $22 - $200 / night

    "We have camped at Salmon Lake many times. It is a favorite of the kiddos."

    "We LOVED our stay at Salmon Lake! We have been here a few times."

    8. HFR Campsites & Retreats

    Be the first to review!
    Kennard, TX
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (512) 947-5525

    $20 - $30 / night

    9. Slay Creek

    3 Reviews
    Diboll, TX
    21 miles
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Recent Reviews near Kennard, TX

195 Reviews of 69 Kennard Campgrounds


  • Alana B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Magical

    Beautiful little gem. The upkeep is outstanding, you can tell it’s really looked after. The camp sites are close to each other but since it wasn’t busy it felt like we had our own private area. There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it’s not safe to swim by the campground. The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn’t do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It’s great for big groups because of all the space. They have bathrooms with a shower and plenty of toilet paper in case you forget to bring your own. It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you. There is also a water spigot and a fire pit.

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Convenient. Clean enough. But underwhelmed.

    We came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.

    The positive:

    • The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.

    • We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.

    • The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.

    • We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.

    Negatives:

    • We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.

    • The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.

    • No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.

    • The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Very nice

    Great view. Just a handful of spots but it was us and one other vehicle. The road up is a little rough. It’s had some washout and needs fixing but keep it slow and drive around the wash out

  • Jim P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Very peaceful park

    Great camping area, sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose.

    Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore.

    Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 6, 2025

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Simple and secluded

    I’ve been to this campground a few times now during different seasons. It can get a little rowdy and also overgrown in the spring and summer….but it is perfect during a mild winter day. Come during a weekday and you’ll almost surely have the whole place to yourself !

  • Allan W.
    Feb. 8, 2025

    Nestled Pines RV Park LLC

    Home away from home

    They owners were very friendly and helpful. The site was very clean and easy to pull in. They had water, sewer, wifi and fiber connections.

    We will definitely be coming back to stay.


Guide to Kennard

Camping near Kennard, Texas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. One visitor said, "Great place overall," highlighting the fishing opportunities available.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Mission Tejas State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Trails are awesome and scale from easy to hard," making it suitable for all skill levels.
  • Swimming: Enjoy a swim at Wolf Creek Park. One camper noted, "The sites are nicely spaced," which adds to the relaxing atmosphere near the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. A visitor remarked, "The bathrooms were spectacular," emphasizing the well-maintained amenities.
  • Spacious sites: Many enjoy the well-spaced campsites at Mission Tejas State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "The group campsite itself was great and was huge!" which is perfect for families or groups.
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff at Rusk KOA. A visitor shared, "The office and other working staff are very friendly and informative about things to do in the area."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds, like Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, are near busy highways. A camper noted, "Road noise from big rigs can get loud sometimes," so be prepared for some background noise.
  • Limited amenities: At Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, there are no drinking water or electric hookups. A reviewer mentioned, "There is a glorified porta potty and no water source," so plan accordingly.
  • Wildlife: Campers at Hanks Creek enjoy the natural beauty but should be aware of bugs. One visitor said, "You just have to have a case of bug spray to fend off the mosquitoes and bugs."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or swimming areas, like Wolf Creek Park. A camper mentioned, "The sites are nicely spaced," which is great for families wanting to keep an eye on their kids.
  • Group sites: Consider reserving a group site at Mission Tejas State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Plenty of space and located great with couple parking spots," making it ideal for family gatherings.
  • Plan for downtime: Bring games or activities for quiet evenings. A camper at Rusk KOA noted, "They do Easter egg/candy hunts and have other events for the kids," which can keep them entertained.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your site, especially at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. A visitor mentioned, "Not suitable for large rigs in this section," so it's good to double-check before booking.
  • Bring extra hoses: At Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, water isn't available at every site. A camper advised, "Bring a longer hose and be ready to fill your tanks or containers."
  • Be prepared for primitive camping: Some sites, like 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp, are more rustic. A reviewer said, "Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water," so be ready for a more basic experience.

Camping near Kennard, Texas, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kennard, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kennard, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 69 campgrounds and RV parks near Kennard, TX and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kennard, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kennard, TX is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kennard, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Kennard, TX.