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
Berkis E
VerifiedAugust 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: B
Our experience at Clearwater was AMAZING! The campgrounds are extremely well kept, the staff is wonderful. The staff continuously check in on us and made sure we were good with ice or needed any help w anything, we ran out of propane and one offered a tank to us. The staff is what makes us want to return again. Not to mention, the views and lake are awesome. Beautiful site, definitely one of the greatest Ove visited in Fl.
Mark P
VerifiedJuly 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: B
From start to finish I loved Clearwater Lake. I purchased some firewood and ice as I checked in. They then delivered it to my campsite. Talk about customer service. Lovely campground and lake. Plenty of hiking trails and a private boat launch area. I will definitely be returning in the near future.
Myron P
VerifiedMay 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: B
Great place and a peaceful experience.
Kristian A
VerifiedMay 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
I never write reviews...but I have to write how above and beyond the staff is at this campsite. This is the best experience we've had from any campsite we've ever visited. The sites are clean and orderly, the showers are spotless and the staff does an amazing job keeping it all that way. But more than that...my partner and I were in a bad car wreck one of our camping nights and could not make it to the site that night. We called the staff and felt 100% secure knowing they were watching our belongings and were understanding with our late check out the next day. Several staff members checked up on us...and I can't say enough good things about this staff and experience with them (even under the unfortunate circumstance). We will definitely visit again!
F. Javier M
VerifiedMay 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Wonderful time!!! Great support team!!!
Dalinda B
VerifiedMay 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
My favorite camping experience
It never disappoints
Bryan D
VerifiedMay 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
Very friendly staff, clean campsites and very quiet
Justyna M
VerifiedMay 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
We ended up here only because it was the only place with available spots, and I'm so glad it worked out that way bc we ended up having THE best camping trip. This place is definitely on our favorites list now & we plan to be returning guests many times over. Our camp spot was just perfect. Right next to the lake w/ partial shade from the trees. Sunsets were amazing with the water view. Having a lake to jump into to cool off was nice, and fishing in it was even nicer. We cought a big, fat Bass for dinner. The whole atmosphere on that campground was just awesome! Everyone was helpful & friendly. The couple running it (if that's how you say it) are just genuinely good people. Mr. Gordon took time out & taught my son some fishing skills throughout our stay & when my son finally caught that Bass, Mr. Gordon came by & taught him how to filet it. The bathrooms were nice. Big, lit up & very clean. Having a hot shower before bed was nice too. 2 nights flew by too fast & we weren't ready to leave this place, & we ended up extending our stay. I cannot wait to go back!
Rorie A
VerifiedMay 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
Exceptional hosts there! Brought our ice to our campsite, (we were on bicycles). Suggested a great restaurant nearby.
John M
VerifiedMay 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
Have been visiting Clearwater Lake for 40 years. Always loved being able to check in any time day or night until that ended. NOT IMPRESSED with the current procedure where one MUST reserve in advance online and pay $8 reservation fee.
SUGGESTION: One park I visit often, Sesquicentenial State park in SC, has a board at the entrance that states which site are available/ unreserved. Other government campsites I've visited have self registering systems where each reserved site has something marking the site reserved. My favorite was a federal park. They had two loops, one reservable loop and one first come.
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. |
