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
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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
Susan W
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
Lovely campground— mellow and relaxing stay for New years 2023! We hiked around the lake, paddle boarded, rode our our mountain bikes to Alexander Springs and enjoyed nice fires. Great place!
Denise M
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Amazing hosts, very clean including the bathrooms. Love that there is a dishwashing area and bear proof storage for food. Sites are spaced out very well. Already have a second stay reserved.
Fran F
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
This lake-side campground is a nice place to relax. My friend and I were a bit disappointed to find there were no fish biting during our visit and we wondered whether or not the lake is stocked during the year. Never saw someone to ask (except at the gate) so we just gave up. However, kayaking the lake is very nice. It's about a mile in circumference so you can get in a nice paddle. Heard an alligator, saw ALOT of birds along the shore (but few actual water-birds), and enjoyed the quiet times at night when generators have to be turned off. The restroom on my loop was large and was clean. Unfortunately, as in many campgrounds, the shower head was pitiful! The shower had the push-button type of control, and the water temperature was perfect. Didn't have time to hike the lake trail this visit, but saw alot of other folks enjoying it. I look forward to camping here again, but perhaps in a sunnier site-- I was so shaded I couldn't get much of a charge for my solar panels!
Holly W
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
Staff super friendly and helpful. Nice showers. Huge campsites. I'll camp there again!
Janice C
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
We love this campground. One of our favorites in Florida
Douglas F
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Great park, we’ll maintained. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable.
Stan B
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
Nice quiet campground. Wonderful hiking trails in the area. Loved it and would stay again!
J W
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Good size campsite.
Far away from others but too close to the trail around the lake.
Bath house is clean with good water pressure, but hot water lasts less than 2 minutes. Plus wide open windows and 24 hours on ceiling fan makes showering uncomfortable even in just cool weather.
Also a bundle of firewood costs $10.75 at the park. This is my first time seeing firewood at the park costs more than the convenient stores outside.
Brenda W
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: B
Nick G
VerifiedDecember 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Excellent campgrounds with delightful staff! Everything was well taken care of and made for a very relaxing trip, couldn't recommend a better campsite in the area.
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 4, 2026
