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.

Available sites

38 total sites

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

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

38 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 10, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 11, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 12, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 13, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 14, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 15, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 16, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 17, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 18, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 19, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 2, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 20, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 21, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 22, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 24, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 25, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 26, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 27, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 28, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 29, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 3, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 32, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 34, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 35, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 36, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 37, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 38, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 39, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 4, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 40, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 41, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 42, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 5, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 6, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 7, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 8, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 9, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

449 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its spacious, well-maintained campsites and friendly, supportive staff, making it a favorite for many campers. The natural setting and lake provide enjoyable swimming and outdoor activities, although there are concerns regarding ticks and the recent algae bloom in the water. Overall, visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness of the facilities, with many expressing their intention to return.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 449 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 71.5% (321)
4 stars 17.6% (79)
3 stars 4.9% (22)
2 stars 4.2% (19)
1 star 1.8% (8)

Showing 449 reviews

John N

Verified

February 11, 2020 Stayed at: 8, Loop: A

Nice clean quiet Park9

Helpful

Elke h C

Verified

February 16, 2020 Stayed at: 16, Loop: A

Tent camped here with a friend before meeting up with a group of people to backpack a couple of days on the Florida trail. Left our cars at the campground for a fee because we felt that they would be safer there than at the trailhead.
Nice quiet place. Clean shower house. Only drawback was that I didn't had cell phone coverage. Had to drive a few miles to be able to contact my friend when she wasn't arriving on time.

Helpful

Lucinda F

Verified

March 3, 2020 Stayed at: 24, Loop: B

We spent 3 nights here because our site at another campground was reserved for the weekend. The online description for site 24A did not indicate any restrictions or obstructions and did not provide a picture that would have shown a tree in the way for our right side slide. We had to pull forward of the tree which left a very tight spot to park our truck. The camp hosts were quick to demand no tires touching the dirt next to the asphalt but did nothing about the 10 people in 3 tents partying until 3 am at the site behind us (site limit is 5 people and 2 tents) or their extension cord running to the bath house. If you're going to enforce rules, make it the ones that matter. The campground loop is very tight; a little uncomfortable driving our 33 ft 5th wheel out.

Helpful

dennis c

Verified

March 18, 2020 Stayed at: 14, Loop: A

nice quiet camp, my pad wasn't long enough for popup and van

Helpful

Jessica S

Verified

March 22, 2020 Stayed at: 10, Loop: A

Beautiful camping experience. Facilities were well kept. Nice trails and beautiful lake. Perfect for an off the grid weekend with family and friends.

Helpful

Scott C

Verified

March 23, 2020 Stayed at: 12, Loop: A

Always have a great time at Clearwater Lake. Sites were beautiful, clean and well-maintained, as usual. We will be back!

Helpful

carol a

Verified

March 29, 2020 Stayed at: 12, Loop: A

Clearwater is a very nice campground with relatively even, spacious sites. Folks manning the facility were extremely nice. Bathrooms are spotless and accommodating. Its location is centralized for a home base for paddling 5 of the most beautiful, spring-fed streams in the state. The reason I gave it a 4 is because there are no hookups. I know the federal govt is known for the basics, but for those people who want to stay up to five days, they have trouble minimizing the water and battery usage. The thing that angers me is that they allow generators. Those things run all night long and give off too much exhaust. That is so rude. Why not upgrade to water & electric. That would eliminate the nuisance noise and smell.

Helpful

Corey R

Verified

June 6, 2020 Stayed at: 15, Loop: A

It was a beautiful, peaceful, quiet campsite.

Helpful

James C

Verified

August 30, 2020 Stayed at: 22, Loop: A

Stayed over the weekend. Campground was small but quaint. Beautiful oak trees everywhere. Site 22 was near the bathrooms and parking lot for the lake. Would look for a further spot away from the day use area. Overall really liked it. Saw a lot of deer. Would stay again.

Helpful

Brenda F

Verified

September 17, 2020 Stayed at: 12, Loop: A

Love to camp here. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The only bad thing from our last visit is ppl with generators running all night and had to be told to shut them off at 10pm. Not everyone is in a camper, I love camping in my tent and you can hear everything. Also ppl with kids not teaching them camping ethics to not run wild thru other ppl sites. But that will don't stop me to go back. Just be mindful of others and everyone will have a great time!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Clearwater Lake Rec Area

24511 Cr 42, Paisley, FL 32767 United States

Elevation: 16 ft

Getting There

From the intersection of Florida Highways 19 and 42, go east on Highway 42 toward Paisley. Drive approximately 6 mi and turn left at the entrance to Clearwater Lake Recreation Area.

Nearest town

Paisley, FL - 1.5 mi

About 3 min to downtown

Highway access

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is accessible via Florida Highway 42, and is located approximately 6 miles east of the intersection with Florida Highway 19.

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Paisley, FL

Population: 757

Nearby city: Deltona, FL

Approx. 20 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 72 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service