About Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 38
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Potable Water -
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
38 Sites Available
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
38 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (428)
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful campground, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, creating a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors. Many guests appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the variety of outdoor activities available, including swimming, kayaking, and hiking. However, there are concerns about a significant tick infestation, which has affected several campers and their pets, suggesting the need for better awareness and prevention measures.
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful campground, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, creating a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors. Many guests appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the variety of outdoor activities available, including swimming, kayaking, and hiking. However, there are concerns about a significant tick infestation, which has affected several campers and their pets, suggesting the need for better awareness and prevention measures.
Review Summary
Erich A
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
In a dry camping this was good. We were real close to beach so that was very good
Cassie L
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: B
We enjoyed our mini vacay at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area. We stayed for 4 nights, and we are absolutely in love with this park! From the time that we checked in to the time that we left, we were extremely happy from the park itself to the campground manager Jerry and his wife Terry along with the campground host, Joe. The park was exceptionally clean and well kept. The shower/bath house was very clean and the showers we warm. The swimming area was white sand beach like and a great place for kids of all ages. They offer canoe, paddleboard, and kayak rentals to explore the lake. The lake is spring fed, and the water is crystal clear. Our campsite was clean and well taken care of.
If you haven’t been to Clearwater Lake even for day use, you should check it out.
I can’t express how accommodating and helpful the staff is! They really know how to make you feel welcomed!
Barbara E
VerifiedApril 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
What a wonderful vacation! Clearwater Beach is a beautiful. Quaint little lake. It reminds me of my camping res as a youngster when life was simpler. Great well manicured sites and the staff is the A team all the way. Clean and very nice comfort station restrooms and showers nice hot water. Little beach is so quaint with kayaks and canoes for rental. Lake is crystal clear as it is spring fed. And spring water for drinking. Yu it’s all of that 🎉.
Many thanks to staff for great care giving of guests. They are a great asset to this Recreational area ‼️💜
Michelle P
VerifiedApril 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Love this campground! Staff is wonderful!
Ken H
VerifiedApril 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: B
This campground is not well suited to large travel trailers. The trees are close to the roads and one in particular near our campsite was “nearly” impossible to get around. The check in station is also hard to navigate with a trailer. The staff were great and helped us get into a site that would accommodate our trailer. The site was very nice and large with trees. The dump station was also a bit hard to navigate with a large trailer.
John C
VerifiedMarch 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
All of the employees at this campground were friendly and asked everyday if all was good. The restrooms and shower areas were kept clean each day.
Justin P
VerifiedMarch 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
We had a very spacious and private site that was great. Campground is in great condition and the hosts were friendly. Not a whole lot of things to do other than canoe/kayak rentals on the small lake, but it makes a great home base for other activities in the forest or a nice place just to chill at camp.
Kennith L
VerifiedMarch 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
I enjoyed my vacations here. Very relaxing in a peaceful environment. That’s why I keep returning. Never had any problems here at all. 14 days seems to fly by fast. See you all next year🏖️
Lisa b
VerifiedMarch 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Sites are lovely. Bathhouses adequate. Lake is very small but there is good paddling nearby.
MARLIN H
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Generators are allowed to start at 6am and our camping neighbor started his at exactly that time every morning! Who gets up at that time camping!! It reverberated our camper! We timed it running for 10 1/2 hours straight! We will not be back to this place. Couldn't wait to leave! I've camped all my life & this was our 2nd worst camping experience ever! Most campgrounds let generators start at 8:00 am. We thought we would get a break when the daylight savings time started, but no, they started it at 5:00am at the old time! No consideration for others!
Location Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Address:
24511 Cr 42
Paisley, FL, 32767
United States
From the intersection of Florida Highways 19 and 42, go east on Highway 42 toward Paisley. Drive approximately 6 miles and turn left at the entrance to Clearwater Lake Recreation Area.
Latitude & Longitude: 28.9794 / -81.555
Elevation: 16 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Campers can check in at 2:00 pm and must check out by 11am. We do not accomodate early check-ins or late check-outs. |
| General |
Campground gate is locked at 6 p.m. during Daylight Savings (Mar - Oct) and 4 p.m. (Nov - Mar). Campers who check-in after the gatehouse is closed must visit the Gatehouse the next morning to complete their check-in to their site. Failure to do so will lead to a 'no show' charge to your reservation and potential forfeiture of site. |
| General |
Campsites are limited to 2 tents, 2 vehicles (campers included), and 5 persons. |
| General |
Extra vehicles will be charged a per-vehicle, per-night fee |
| General |
Bears and raccoons frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in immediate ejection from campground without refund. |
| General |
Alligators inhabit the area; use caution around water. |
| General |
Private vessel launches in the Juniper Wilderness Run are subject to a fee. |
| General |
Dogs/pets are allowed in campground only and must be leashed and supervised at all times. No dogs/pets allowed in day-use area, bathrooms, in lake or on the trail around the lake. |
| General |
Click here for more information about Ocala National Forest |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. |
