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
John D
VerifiedMarch 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: B
Campsite 25 was very clean very private. camp hosts are awesome. They checked on us several times let me know if I need anything or help let them know. That’s all the positive. I
Philip D
VerifiedMarch 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
Clearwater Lake campground was clean and quiet, Our site (B40) was spacious and nicely shaded by live oaks. Beware of ticks though, we each had one!
Eugene H
VerifiedMarch 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Facilities were clean and hot showers were a plus. The lake was clear near the shoreline but got darker the further out we kayaked. We saw one alligator about 3 to 4 ft long and a super curious soft shell turtle that would come right up to you and check you out. Overall my family had a wonderful experience. We were definitely going to be back over this summer.
Rita T
VerifiedMarch 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
The beach was so nice to have. The fish and turtles swim right up to you.
Rita T
VerifiedMarch 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
Nice little beach. The turtles and fish swim right up to you.
Bruce T
VerifiedMarch 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Been a good customer at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area for many years. I always enjoy the Ocala Forest. But I am still very unhappy about changing the checkout time to 11 AM. Quite frankly, it's ridiculous. There is very little that needs to be done for the next guest and during the weekdays that goes double since there aren't really that many campers. I always feel like I have to rush on the morning I have to leave, and there certainly is no time to take one last bike ride or hike. Therefore, I spend more time at the State Parks now which still have a 1PM departure time.
Rick Z
VerifiedMarch 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Great vies
Barbara I
VerifiedMarch 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
Great campground, clean bathrooms, great hosts
Ronald G
VerifiedMarch 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
Had a wonderful first time experience in Ocala National Forest. Clearlake Campground is in a beautiful setting. I was on the B Loop and as soon as I parked I walked the Lake Trail, which was spotless and empty. Beautiful and peaceful. The campground was also spotless and the site were very well equipped. Especially appreciated the bear-proof food lockers (although no bears were seen). The restrooms were GREAT! Immaculate and well-maintained. Dishwashing Station? How cool! Shower? Needed after several hours on the Florida Trail. Especially nice were the gate keeper and camp host. Both were very friendly, helpful, and informative. I really appreciated that. Overall, a fun experience that I’m sure to repeat.
Daniel A
VerifiedMarch 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: B
Best 5 day vacation in years spent with my son. We found our new spot, friendly humans are all we encountered and the peace was overwhelming, thank you.
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
