Walnut Creek Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview: True Primitive Camping on Texas's Premier Hiking Trail**

For Texans seeking an authentic escape into the wilderness, the **Walnut Creek Backcountry Site** offers a pure, primitive camping experience deep within the **Davy Crockett National Forest**. This site is not a bustling RV park but a dedicated resource for backpackers and serious hikers. It is strategically located roughly midway along the famous **Four C National Recreation Trail**—a 20-mile odyssey through the diverse landscapes of East Texas, starting at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and ending at Neches Bluff Overlook.

The Walnut Creek Backcountry Site is defined by its isolation and its focus on minimal-impact recreation. It is a true hike-in destination, accessible only by foot along the Four C Trail, ensuring a level of solitude and immersion in nature that is hard to find in developed campgrounds. Visitors to this site are rewarded with the sights and sounds of the national forest, trekking through towering pines, bottomland hardwoods, and scenic sloughs. This is where the commitment to exploration is met with the quiet beauty of the Texas wilderness.

Given its backcountry nature, users should arrive prepared to be self-sufficient, carrying their own water, food, and necessary gear for a rustic stay. It provides a crucial rest stop or overnight location for those traversing the entire Four C Trail, or a goal for a challenging day-hike and overnight trip.

📍 **Location and Accessibility**

The Walnut Creek Backcountry Site is located within the Davy Crockett National Forest in the East Texas region. It is situated on the Four C National Recreation Trail, which connects Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and Neches Bluff Overlook. Because it is a backcountry site, there is **no vehicle access directly to the campground**. Access is exclusively via the hiking trail.

The nearest point of reference for general navigation is the town of Kennard, Texas. The closest established facility is the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, where the Four C Trail begins.

Address (General Area / Nearest Town):

Texas 75847, USA (This zip code is primarily associated with the area of Kennard, Texas, which borders the Davy Crockett National Forest.)

Getting There:

To access the site, users must first drive to a trailhead, most commonly the one at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area (located off State Highway 7 East). From the trailhead, the site requires a significant hike of approximately 10 miles. Users must park their vehicles at the trailhead parking and hike in, carrying all supplies. The trail can be rugged, traversing varied terrain that includes pine uplands and occasional boggy areas.

🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a true primitive backcountry site, the services available at Walnut Creek are minimal and intended only to support basic necessities for backpackers. This is not a facility designed for comfort, but for self-reliance and environmental preservation.

• **Campsite Pads:** The site typically includes a handful of designated tent pads (historically listed as five) designed to encourage camping in established locations and minimize impact on the surrounding environment.
• **Basic Shelter:** A primitive shelter structure is often provided for basic protection from the elements.
• **Waste Disposal:** A pit toilet (or composting toilet) is generally available at the site. Users must understand that these are rugged, non-flush facilities.
• **Water Source (Warning):** While the site is named for Walnut Creek, which runs nearby, there is **no potable water** provided. All water must be filtered, purified, or packed in by the user. Relying on natural water sources without proper treatment is not recommended.
• **Fires:** While fires may be allowed, they are subject to strict Davy Crockett National Forest rules and current fire restrictions. Hikers should bring containerized fuel stoves as an alternative, and practice Leave No Trace principles, which generally favor minimizing fire impact.
• **Pack In, Pack Out:** Visitors are responsible for removing all refuse. **No trash services** are provided, underscoring the necessity of packing out everything you bring in.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

The highlights of the Walnut Creek Backcountry Site are centered on the unique outdoor opportunities provided by its location on one of Texas's most renowned trails.

• **Central Location on the Four C Trail:** It serves as a vital midpoint stop for individuals undertaking the challenging 20-mile hike of the Four C National Recreation Trail, offering an official, designated place to rest.
• **Deep Wilderness Experience:** The site offers an unparalleled level of seclusion, providing hikers and backpackers with the solitude they often seek, far from the noise and light pollution of developed areas.
• **Diverse Trail Scenery:** The hike to and from the site showcases the best of the Davy Crockett National Forest, including views of towering longleaf and loblolly pines, various hardwood stands, and unique East Texas forest ecosystems.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The remote nature of the site increases opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching, allowing visitors to observe the forest’s inhabitants, which may include the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.
• **Shelter for Primitive Camping:** The small, rustic shelter and established tent pads provide structure and security for overnight stays, helping hikers practice proper wilderness camping safety and etiquette.

📞 **Contact Information**

Since the Walnut Creek Backcountry Site is a primitive, unstaffed location, all necessary information and regulations are managed through the Davy Crockett National Forest District Office.

Managing Office Phone (Davy Crockett National Forest):

(936) 655-2299 (This number is for the main Forest Service office, not the campsite itself.)

Address (Reference Point):

TX-7, Kennard, TX 75847, USA

Reservations:

Primitive backcountry sites like Walnut Creek generally do not require a reservation but require adherence to U.S. Forest Service rules regarding camping and usage. Hikers should always check with the National Forest office for current conditions, especially concerning fire restrictions and trail closures, before beginning their journey.

👍 **What is Worth Choosing: Solitude and the Challenge of the Four C Trail**

The Walnut Creek Backcountry Site is the ideal choice for **experienced Texas hikers and backpackers** who prioritize primitive, deep-woods camping and wish to complete a section or the entirety of the Four C National Recreation Trail. If your goal is to push beyond the amenities of developed campgrounds and test your self-sufficiency in a beautiful, classic East Texas environment, this site is perfectly suited for you.

It is not the place for RVs, casual car camping, or those needing immediate access to modern conveniences. Instead, it offers the ultimate reward of a hard-earned campsite: quiet nights under dark skies, the scent of pine, and the satisfaction of having navigated a true wilderness trail. Choosing Walnut Creek means committing to Leave No Trace principles and embracing the challenge and immense natural beauty of a dedicated national forest backcountry experience.