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
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.
Tony C
VerifiedApril 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Nice campground!!!!
Terrence O
VerifiedApril 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: B
The sites were well maintained - vegetation cleared and grounds clean, baths and showers were well maintained and very nice. We will be back.
Terrence B
VerifiedApril 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
Nice little well run campground .The hosts were friendly and actually worked like they are expected to.
Fred L
VerifiedApril 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: B
Loved kayak fishing here! The camp hosts Jerry & Terry were terrific - friendly, answered our questions, & shared interesting local info! Fun people to be around!
Deborah K
VerifiedMarch 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: A
Great campground, wonderful hosts!
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
