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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Clearwater Lake Rec Area.
Rates, Sites & Availability
38 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
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 (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
Joyce H
VerifiedMarch 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
Very nice camping spot!
Richard K
VerifiedMarch 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Had a wonderful time. We invited 10 other RVs to meet there with us. They also had a great time. The camp hosts were marvelous as was ranger staff in the entrance. The bathrooms were immaculate. Everything was perfect. See you next year!
Richard M
VerifiedMarch 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Nice and quiet (except highway noise) during the week, a bit busier on weekends mostly with families. Haven’t experienced any loud parties in the 3 stays here.
Bath houses and campsites are kept clean.
Close to springs and the Atlantic beaches. The lake itself is clear and peaceful. Nice sand swimming area.
Several campsites need maintenance to the parking pad to make them wide enough to have all tires on pavement (as forest rules state). They also need fill added so the sites are a bit more level off the pad (think ankle injuries).
Overall, a great campground with a bit of TLC needed.
Dwana G
VerifiedMarch 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
A hidden gem in Central Florida. Spacious sites, clean bathrooms, overall very well maintained.
Sarah L
VerifiedMarch 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
I’ve visited this site twice and I’ll definitely come back again! The staff and groundskeeper are really nice and helpful. The views of the water are awesome and you feel relaxed with the benefit of hot showers!
Cindy J
VerifiedMarch 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Restrooms were clean and staff was friendly. Paved campsite parking area is narrow and all tires must be on pavement.
Eunice H
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
The dishwashing station is wonderful. Hot running water makes that camp chore so easy. And the place is kept so clean. I love it that the Florida Trail runs right by the campground. Makes for nice hiking each day.
Alfred L
VerifiedFebruary 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A
Very relaxing campground and enjoyed hiking around Clearwater Lake.😀
Christopher M
VerifiedFebruary 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
This was the nicest experience I've had in years, the site was quiet, the bathrooms were squeaky clean, and the staff went out of their way to check in while driving by on their golf cart and making the gate combo an efficient system! Im planning on staying again next week for a day that I'm working in Deland - it is THAT efficient it actually competes nicely with a hotel.
Nancy J
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: B
really nice campground, quiet, peaceful,, clean, well equipped restrooms, scenic trails
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
