About Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 38
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
38 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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 (433)
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Rec Area offers a beautiful and clean campground with spacious and well-maintained sites, friendly hosts, and excellent restroom facilities with hot showers. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, access to the Florida Trail, and fun activities such as kayaking and nature walks. However, some guests noted a tick problem and expressed concern about pricing and booking policies, suggesting that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Rec Area offers a beautiful and clean campground with spacious and well-maintained sites, friendly hosts, and excellent restroom facilities with hot showers. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, access to the Florida Trail, and fun activities such as kayaking and nature walks. However, some guests noted a tick problem and expressed concern about pricing and booking policies, suggesting that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
Review Summary
Jonathan H
VerifiedOctober 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Amazing campground and facilities. Jerry went above and beyond to answer any questions and meet our every need.
John A
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Lovely campsite, friendly staff, beautiful hikes and great access to ONF.
Rachel S
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
We spent a weekend in September celebrating my birthday here with a group of friends and reserved Campsites #19-21. I could not think of a better place to do it. The site, staff, and overall campground exceeded my expectations! Site 19 was right next to the lake/day use area and Site 20-21 was across the street. All were close to the bathrooms. The sunsets were mesmerizing at the lake and the water was as clear as a spring. The whole campground was clean and free of debris as well. The cherry on top was how accommodating and friendly the staff and campground hosts were during our entire stay. We will definitely be back :)
Pamela B
VerifiedAugust 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Great place to stay! Camp hosts are friendly and helpful. Camp sites are nice and roomy, it’s one of the only ones we’ve found where your not right on top your neighbors which is great!!
Cindy-jo D
VerifiedAugust 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
Everything about this campground was great. Visited during off season. Loved the staff. Lost my AirPods and got a huge amount of help trying to find them. Although they ended up being found on trail, not in the campground, they did everything they could to help me out. Much appreciated. Love this campground and will definitely be back!!!
Deborah M
VerifiedJune 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: A
I love this campground. We stayed over memorial day weekend. Went hiking and swimming. Beautiful lake with crystal clear water. Beware ticks are plentiful this time of year. Get some good repellent.
Leeanne B
VerifiedMay 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
Me and my family love this local park. We go there often and it's always fun times in the wilderness. Many things to do, like hiking fishing swimming canoeing and after an adventurous day you can clean up in hot water in their very roomy shower stalls. Will continue going here for ever. No electricity but that takes the fun out of camping. It's mostly breezy at night at each camp site but the ticks and mosquitoes will eat you alive. So be prepared with some type of bug defense. We love Clearwater
darrin e
VerifiedMay 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Very well maintained campground.
The hosts keep it picked up and are around all the time. Very friendly staff. Was a peaceful weekend. Will be back again.
Rebekah Z
VerifiedApril 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
What a great trip! We stayed at campsite 11 in loop A. It is a small park so not a lot of car traffic at all! We have two kids, 3 and 1. They LOVED the lake-it was perfect temperature. There are 4 soft shell turtles that swim around with everyone! Along with tons of fish. We also brought our own tandem kayak and fishing rods (they do have kayaks/canoes for rent if needed). Fishing was great! We caught 8 bass in a matter of 45 minutes using a black and white artificial worm with a bullet weight. We also walked the path around the lake (took us about 45min-1hr). The park rangers even had a scavenger hunt for the kids for Easter, it was such a nice extra for them to do! Kids had so much fun, we can’t wait to visit again!
Karen S
VerifiedApril 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
We had a fantastic time at Clearwater Recreation Area. The camp hosts were very welcoming and helpful. The area was well kept and very comfortable. We will be going back soon.
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.
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is accessible via Florida Highway 42, and is located approximately 6 miles east of the intersection with Florida Highway 19.
Latitude & Longitude: 28.9794 / -81.555
Elevation: 16 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
11AM
General
- Campground gate is locked during Daylight Savings (Mar - Oct) and (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.
- Campsites are limited to 2 tents, 2 vehicles (campers included), and 5 persons.
- Extra vehicles will be charged a per-vehicle, per-night fee
- 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.
- Alligators inhabit the area; use caution around water.
- Private vessel launches in the Juniper Wilderness Run are subject to a fee.
- 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.
- Click here for more information about Ocala National Forest
- 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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Last updated: June 3, 2026
