About Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 38
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Potable Water -
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
38 Sites Available
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No available sites
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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 (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.
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
ROBERT H
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: B
I tented here for about a week and this rec area has great sites and all the necessary amenities. It is maintained very well and run by very friendly and capable staff/hosts. The restrooms, showers, and wash station are kept very clean and provide exactly what you want and need. It was a pleasure to stay here and I'll definitely stay here again.
Eric S
VerifiedFebruary 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
It was a really nice and clean place shower and bathroom were nice and clean and a nice place to just hangout and relax
Ronald F
VerifiedJanuary 31, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Camp sites and bathrooms are kept really clean and tidy. Staff are very friendly and helpful
Maureen C
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
I love this place! It’s so peaceful and relaxing.
Vicky H
VerifiedJanuary 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Clean and well kept camp sites and bathrooms. Friendly check in process.
Melinda C
VerifiedJanuary 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
Clearwater Lake is one of my very favorite places! My parents took me camping and swimming there when I was a tot, and I took my children there when they were little. Over 50 years, little has changed, other than that the restrooms and showers are nicely modernized.
If you love pine and live oak forests, sunsets and sunrises over shimmering water, abundant wildlife, and spacious campsites, then Clearwater Lake is the place for you! Note that this is not an RV resort, and amenities are few... hot showers, nice restrooms, a dish-washing room, large campsites, and nature galore. But you will not find electricity at the campsite, work-out equipment, a swimming pool, or other things you may find at a camping resort. You WILL find a lovely lake that is perfect for children to swim in, as the shore slopes gently and stays shallow for a long way out. Good swimmers may swim or float out in the deep area all the way across the lake if they desire. There is an easy hiking trail around the circumference of the lake that is 1.8 miles around with resting benches along the way. You may bring canoes, kayaks, rafts, and other floating devices for use on the lake, or you may rent canoes or kayaks on site. Motorized boats and jet skis are not allowed.
The campground itself offers ice, firewood, charcoal, and fire starters for sale. Just a mile or two to the left on State Road 42 is a country convenience store with essentials you may need while camping, and if you’d like a nice meal out, there is an Italian restaurant just a ways up the road to the left as well. To the right coming out of the rec area will take you 7 miles to Altoona, a little town with a Dollar General, a couple restaurants, and Graham’s U-Pick Strawberry Farm.
If your expectation is to enjoy nature, swim, hike, bike, float, or jog in a natural setting, cook over an open flame, and get back to a simple way of enjoying life, you will LOVE Clearwater Lake!
Dean P
VerifiedJanuary 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: B
Great place to camp! Great camp host.
Camping, hiking, biking and fishing!
Does it get any better!
Jay C
VerifiedJanuary 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
Great site, clean bathrooms, awesome camp sites and super friendly staff. Will be back for sure!
William H
VerifiedJanuary 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: A
Beautiful park, with great trails for hiking and clear sky s at night.
Jennings H
VerifiedJanuary 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
Awesome campground. The clearance along the road is too low for many RVs. Many branches need to be trimmed. It is obvious that campers are hitting the overhead branches.
At a minimum a sign should be installed stating that there are many spots with too low a clearance.
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.
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. |
