Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake) — Rockhounding in Houston County, Texas
The Davy Crockett National Forest sits in the petrified-wood belt of East Texas, where silicified and agatized wood weathers out of Catahoula and Manning Formation gravels alongside jasper and agate. The US Forest Service issues free use permits for personal collection of petrified wood and common lapidary minerals on the forest. Vertebrate fossils and artifacts remain off limits. Reported finds include petrified wood, agatized wood, jasper, agate, chalcedony. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake) photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake) in Houston County, Texas
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Houston County
- State
- Texas
- Coordinates
- 31.37286, -95.16580
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
State guidance last verified:
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
- Big Bend National Park — Rules
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake).
- Large area between CrockettHouston County, Texas · 19 mi awayJasper, Agatized Wood
- Btwn Groveton & TrinityTrinity County, Texas · 24 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Road cut N of roadNacogdoches County, Texas · 29 mi awayPyrite, Selenite
- N of Lake LivingstonTrinity County, Texas · 35 mi awayPetrified Palm Wood
- Large area btwn Camden and ChesterPolk County, Texas · 44 mi awayPetrified Palm Wood
- Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake)Top pick in TexasSan Jacinto County, Texas · 57 mi awayPetrified Palm Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate
- Broad area around BediasGrimes County, Texas · 62 mi awayTektites, Black Diamond, Fire Pearl
- N of CrossMadison County, Texas · 65 mi awayPetrified Wood
Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake) FAQ
Why is Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake) one of the best rockhounding spots in Texas?+
Where is Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)?+
Is collecting allowed at Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)?+
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