OutReserve

Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Waterfront
Canoes
Trailhead
Trail information
Picnic area

Featured amenities

Showers
Showers

About Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida. With a shaded campground, day use picnic area, beach and a nature trail that winds through the pine woods and scrub around Clearwater Lake, this facility has plenty of activities to keep campers occupied. The Ocala National Forest, in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.

Number of accommodations: 38

Campground Amenities

  • Beach Access
    Beach Access
  • Potable Water
    Potable Water
  • Showers
    Showers
  • Dump Station
    Dump Station

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

38 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
14, Loop: A
5 guests · Pet Friendly
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 16, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 17, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 18, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 19, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 20, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 21, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 22, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 24, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 25, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 26, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 27, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 28, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 29, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 3, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 32, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 34, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 35, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 36, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 37, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 38, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 39, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 40, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 41, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 42, Loop: B
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: A
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night

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.

Review Summary

4.5
428 reviews
5
71.5%
306
4
17.5%
75
3
4.9%
21
2
4.2%
18
1
1.9%
8

John S

Verified

March 14, 2024 Stayed at: 42, Loop: B

5

I’ve been using Rec. com for years staying at different camp locations
I stay at a location that best meets my needs for my other activities
While at my last and other stays the personal is always courteous and always offers help, there were 6 people I meet that worked there and everyone of them were courteous and professional

Richard A

Verified

March 9, 2024 Stayed at: 18, Loop: A

5

Great little campground. Large campsites, clean showers, friendly and helpful staff.

Margaret K

Verified

March 8, 2024 Stayed at: 40, Loop: B

3

Nice park. Somewhat peaceful

Ana S

Verified

March 7, 2024 Stayed at: 35, Loop: B

5

The site was clean, quite, and spacious. The staff was super friendly and helpful.

Larry C

Verified

March 7, 2024 Stayed at: 26, Loop: B

5

This is a great campground and site 26 is one of the most beautiful sites we have had anywhere. Site are huge and well spread out. If only they had electricity at the sites. The hosts are great and the trails are fantastic, hiking and biking. We would definitely return when in the area again. There are some narrow parts and low branches, so big rigs pay attention.

jerrell g

Verified

March 5, 2024 Stayed at: 12, Loop: A

2

This campground was nice during the week but got wild on the weekend. My wife and I were "under siege" from the party atmosphere next to us. The music started about noon and continued until quiet hour. What's really upsetting about this is that the two of us were paying the same price as the 8 or so having the party. Charging by the person instead of renting a lot would rectify much of this problem I suspect and would be much fairer since their 3 tents and two vehicles were putting a lot more wear and tear on the campsite, not to mention the bathhouse. Don't really understand why we have to subsidize someone else's party, but that just seems to be how it is in a socialist country.

STACY M

Verified

March 4, 2024 Stayed at: 20, Loop: A

5

My family stays here twice a year at least and we absolutely love it. Actually I secretly don’t want anyone to know about this place because it’s one of the few places you can book with lesser notice. The bathrooms here are always clean and hot showers. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The sites are nice, shaded, and private with trees! We love to walk the park multiple times a day with our dogs and see the gorgeous view of the lake! We will be back again and again ! Thank you for having such a beautiful campground!

Rick D

Verified

March 1, 2024 Stayed at: 13, Loop: A

5

One of the most beautiful settings of all the eastern N.A. Parks. Waking each day to the call of Sandhill Cranes with morning mists rising from the lake is simply magical. The campground is superbly maintained and the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and so helpful. Extensive trails enrich the immediate experience and close proximity to kayaking opportunities including nearby Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs make Clearwater a fabulous base for diverse adventures and discoveries.

Eunice H

Verified

March 1, 2024 Stayed at: 41, Loop: B

5

The facilities are clean and well maintained. The path around Clearwater Lake is a nice walk. Having the the trailhead for the Florida Trail right by the campground is great.

Karl B

Verified

March 1, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: A

5

Terry, Jerry and the crew were excellent and very accommodating. They made every effort to help us have a good experience. The recreation.gov site was not helpful and wouldn’t allow us to change campsites online, or with either support help during 2 phone calls. Terry was able to make it happen. She saved my vacation!

Location Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Address:
24511 Cr 42
Paisley, FL, 32767
United States

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.

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