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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$15 - $35 / night
This is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
The Piney Creek Horse Trail is a system of horse trails that meanders approximately 53 miles through the East Texas pineywoods in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Trail riding groups of more than 75 persons (including spectators) will need a Special-Use Permit and should contact the District Office three months prior to the ride date. The trail is primitive. Use caution in wet weather since parts of the trail flood. Some sections of the trail route around the bottomlands and can be used even in wet weather. ~ Map ~
Fish at one of the largest lakes in the state, hike quiet trails through the forest, or find Lake Livingston camping under the trees. This refreshing retreat from city life is just an hour north of Houston. At Lake Livingston State Park, you can swim, fish, boat, hike, bird, camp, picnic, mountain bike, geocache and study nature. We have activities for the whole family! Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map. We offer many camping options, from tent sites with water nearby up to campsites with full hookups. You can also rent one of 10 screened shelters, some of which are ADA accessible. Or book one of our group sites for your next reunion. Shop our park store for souvenirs, drinks, snacks, ice, camping and fishing supplies, and much more. Alligators live in the area; read our alligator safety tips.
$14 - $28 / night
This is a horse camp on the Piney Creek Horse Trail. ~ Map ~
$10 / night
Salmon Lake is a 2 acre spring fed swimming lake surrounded by a 100 acre campground with plenty of space to explore and make new memories with friends and family. Whether you come for the day or stay for a week: you will LOVE your stay at Salmon Lake Park + Resort.
$22 - $200 / night
$42 - $58 / night
Scout
Beautiful views to wake up too.
Scout
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.
GuideCrept up the hill in the middle of the night to wake up to a beautiful view!
Guide
Love staying at Livingston. It is close enough to Houston that we can have a quick get away, but still be away from things that you can enjoy. The park is very well maintained, and the trails are good. A lot of people fish the lake, but I haven’t had a lot of luck - that doesn’t mean anything, though 🤣
Guide
Has great camping. 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.
Guide
This is another Great in deep e. Texas. They have really clean it up over the years. Even thin out more by the swimming area and boat ramps. Has a boat ramp but no electric motors. Also a dump station. They upgraded a RV spot that also has a playground too. You will find remants of the old sawmill here.
Guide
Has the best clear blue water for swimming in all of E. TEXAS!! Has exploring trails and even some wildlife roaming if you are a camper. Has a mystical, Lord of Rings vibe. ENJOY!!
GuideIf you like fishing this is a popular fav spot among locals. You can float the river most either way overall. Sand bass is a fav when in season.
Guide
Famous place where the limestone for the Galveston seawall after the storm of 1901 Has two ponds or waterholes. One is good just for fishing. The other grew up swimming in. Found big chunks of limestone all around still.
Traveler
It is centrally located on big sam for great fishing , nice clean
TravelerClean, plenty of spaces, tents and RV’s. Nice fire pit. Nice lake view and water fun!
Scout
Thank you for sharing this review! It’s always helpful to get insights before booking a stay. While I’m here, I thought I'd mention that if you're looking for some good tunes to listen to during your trip, you might want to check out Spotify Premium Apkz. It’s a great way to access your favorite music without interruptions. Safe travels!
Guide
Our sites were amazing with gorgeous lake views with sunsets for dayyyys! The on-site restaurant had good cocktails and great food. We went during the winter (November, right before Thanksgiving), so didnt do any of the swimming/water activities. Super nice staff and all around great time. Clean park. We will definitely be back!
Guide
TLDR: Dirty, overpriced, bait n switch offerings, NOT an RV Resort.
This was the most disappointing RV park I've ever been to. It is marketed and priced as an "RV resort"....It is not. We had a good time because we had good company but this place was the butt of a joke...We went for Memorial Day weekend. (A holiday weekend) The kids couldn't play in the grass because it was so tall. One of the permanent campers (there are many permanent RVs) came by and asked if we wanted to borrow a mower..not kidding. It was sweet of him to offer, but we paid $73/night! Just yikes.
We were also warned not to go down to the beach area because it was destroyed by waves and there were water snakes everywhere. We were taken aback at the overall "resort" and could only laugh at how absurd it was lol.
The pool was packed with locals (It was a holiday weekend though, so I'll give them that one). The lady at the check in was super rude and was put out by us checking in. Overall, I would NEVER come back here. We camp at expensive places and state parks and everything in between. I've never written a bad review for a campsite, because I've never found a place that was this terrible. Had it been priced accordingly, I would've been ok with it, but this is NOT a resort and shouldn't be a resort price! Yikes.
There was more that I'm probably forgetting...but some other highlights: The splash pad didnt work. The kiddos said the playground was gross and sketchily creaking. There is no clubhouse. Oh, also, the infinity pool pictured on the website is 100% not the same pool that is there. There are many other campsites on the lake...go to any other one!
PICS SHOW THINGS FROM THEIR WEBSITE THAT DON'T EXIST OR ARE VERY MISREPRESENTED...In short...Book something else. I hope they get their act together, but their website is bait n switch.
ScoutI just have to say, this is the best place to stay! I love playing games here with my friends, especially using WorldBox premium Apk. It’s an amazing experience every time
ScoutThat was such a good place. Me and my friend was playing that mod version of carx street together that I was downloaded from Carx Streets Apk. We enjoyed alot. I will recommend to everyone to must visit this place. It was superb.
Traveler
Very friendly staff and residents. Mostly long-term residents. Nice facilities and pool. Privacy fence around lot and large shed to store in or use as an extra living space.
TravelerLove this location everything was so simple nothing extra just simple relaxing camping and beautiful scenery
Traveler
First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty and freaked of sewage. The group sites are basically a big parking lot- zero grass space between site numbers, although there is shared grass areas along the rows. We moved site numbers within the group sites so that our kids would not be playing right beside the highway (there is a gate, however it’s still concerning), and to slightly distance ourselves from the traffic noise. Beware there is also a large wedding venue directly across the highway & our kids were woken to the sounds of fireworks at night on the weekend. There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves, as well as deal with some broken glass & the trash can for our site that wasn’t emptied before our stay. I spoke with the staff member working in the office and all she could say was “i will let management know.”
As far as the good: we had 6 kids and 4 adults staying, so despite the concerns and annoyances, we still were able to relax enough and enjoy our break from the daily grind. The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games.
The best: the nearly-daily trains coming right through the campground for various reasons (loading new cars or taking passengers on a local trip). My son is an avid train-lover and this was the main reason we booked our stay here.
GuideThis place was great! Nice, clean vault toilet, many sites, and rather empty. Any car should be able to make the dirt road in dry to moderately wet conditions, if it's been seriously stormy, I'd avoid without AWD/4WD because the road is dirt/sand.
ScoutCheck out the stocked fishing pond! Did I say bass, catfish and bluegill? Excellent Wi-Fi 2 dog parks Free laundry
TravelerWell maintained, friendly staff, awesomely hot showers, pretty lake.
Can hear cars from the road outside the park :(
GuideDirt road to sites isn’t bad at all. Several places to pull off & camp. T-Mobile getting one baby bar.
Scout
It sounds like a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of East Texas. Moreover, relaxing with the basket random game will be an extremely great idea.
TravelerI have been several times.
We love it,,,
Lots of tall trees. Very little if any biting bugs. Grounds keeper pick up trash daily. Staff are very friendly.
For more on this great place. go to our Facebook group on this.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/781897506027639
TravelerVery primitive and off the beaten path, our 02 Mustang was able to handle it. No site numbers just pop the tent wherever. Very quiet and beautiful.
TravelerWould camp here again. Was defiantly a hot one in august 108 when we got here at 4pm.
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.
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 68 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 4.7-star rating from 17 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.
What parks are near Kennard, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Kennard, TX that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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