It is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service local headquarters in Lufkin.

Davy Crockett National Forest, which is bordered on the northeast by the Neches River and is located in Kennard, Texas, includes the 45-acre (180,000 m2) Ratcliff Lake.

The national forest is managed on a multiple-use philosophy and are used for lumbering, grazing, oil production, hunting, and recreation.

In addition, Texas ranchers with special permits could graze their cattle in the national forests.

At the Davy Crockett National Forest, 386 head of cattle grazed in fiscal year 1994.