Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates38 total sites
RV Sites
37 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
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
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 (445)
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its spacious, well-maintained campsites and friendly, supportive staff, making it a favorite for many campers. The natural setting and lake provide enjoyable swimming and outdoor activities, although there are concerns regarding ticks and the recent algae bloom in the water. Overall, visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness of the facilities, with many expressing their intention to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its spacious, well-maintained campsites and friendly, supportive staff, making it a favorite for many campers. The natural setting and lake provide enjoyable swimming and outdoor activities, although there are concerns regarding ticks and the recent algae bloom in the water. Overall, visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness of the facilities, with many expressing their intention to return.
Review Summary
Samantha D
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Clearwater Rec area is one of my favorite places to come camping and just for the day. Not only is it kid friendly but it's a nice quiet place to relax and unwind whether it's taking the little trailer on the lake or hang out at your campsite or down by the beach swimming in the clear water this place is just awesome. And I can't brag enough about the wonderful folks who work there they are kind and courteous and go above and beyond not to mention the place is very well cleaned and taken care of we will definitely be back again.
Amanda R
VerifiedOctober 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
Very clean and very helpful staff. I only wish there were better areas to fish from around the lake.
Dean D
VerifiedOctober 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: B
1st time there. The lake is very clear water surrounded by beautiful oak hammocks. They do not offer canoe rentals, but they are only about a 15 min ride from Alexander springs that rents canoes and has a great spring. The grounds were clean and up kept. Clean bathrooms and showers. The campsite map on recreation.gov is misleading.The best way to find a campsite that fits you would prob. be to call. I thought I could pick good ones by the map and ended up with not much privacy and right on the path to the bathroom. Overall it was a great experience, and now that I know the campground, I have already booked another stay.
MATTEA F
VerifiedOctober 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
The staff was incredibly rude and inconsiderate to the point where it was hard to enjoy the time I spent there. I will say however the bathrooms / showers were clean
Billy S
VerifiedNovember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
The campsite was beautiful and very well maintained. The staff and camp hosts were awesome. We had a great time and will be back soon!
T.J. P
VerifiedNovember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: A
THE STAFF IS FANTASTIC AND ATTEMPTED TO BE VERY ACCOMODATING THROUGHOUT MY STAY. SEVERAL SITES HAD CHILDREN RUNNING A MUCK, (ONE HAD 11 KIDS PLAYING FOOTBALL AT 7:30AM OUTSIDE MY TENT!!) AND THE STAFF SEEMED TO BE AT WITS END ON HOW TO GET THESE PEOPLE TO CEASE AND DESIST, BUT THE SAID THEY'RE HANDS ARE PRETTY MUCH TIED.
FOR THE MOST-PART THE CAMPGROUNDS, ALTHOUGH RELAXING, IS IN NEED OF RENOVATION. THE PAVED PARKING AREAS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SITES IS BROKEN UP AND THE SITES ARE SUFFERING FROM EROSION CAUSED BY WATER RUN OFF. THERE ARE ONLY 2 SITES IN THE ENTIRE CAMPGROUND WITH ELECTRICITY. ONE IS USED BY THE CAMP HOST, THE OTHER CANNOT BE USED DUE TO BEING ON "HOLD" IN CASE OF A FOREST FIRE ITS A SETUP LOCATION FOR THE FIRE SERVICES. SO IF YOUR LIKE ME, A DISABLED VET WHO REQUIRES A BREATHING MACHINE AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES REQUIRING POWER THEN THIS CAMPGROUND IS NOT FOR YOU. GENERATORS ARE REQUIRED TO BE OFF BY 10PM.
THERE'S NO REASON IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO NOT HAVE AT LEAST HALF THE CAMPGROUND WITH ACCESS TO POWER. SEVERAL OF THE FIRE PIT GRILL TOPS WERE BROKEN THEREFORE ALL COOKING HAD TO BE DONE AT THE CHARCOAL GRILL. THE HAND DRIERS IN THE BATHROOMS MADE A LOT OF NOISE BUT DIDNT BLOW ANY AIR TO DRY YOUR HANDS. FOR A LAKE THAT SIZE IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WERE MORE THAT ONE ACCESS POINT (WHICH IS SMALL)....IT CAN GET VERY CROWDED AT THE HEAT OF THE DAY AND THERE'S NO PEACE IN THE WATER WITH 30 KIDS GOING NUTS AROUND YOU AND THEIR PARENTS DONT GIVE A DAMN.
Nicole R
VerifiedNovember 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Sites were clean, bathrooms were clean, and everyone we encountered was super nice!
Billy S
VerifiedNovember 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
We had a great time
Gerald H
VerifiedNovember 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
This is one of our favorite go-to spots. It's close to home and very clean. Staff has always been wonderful and friendly.
Henry M
VerifiedNovember 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Joe and Kevin are dependable and dedicated hosts with engaging personalities. Facilities are well maintained.
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.
Elevation: 16 feet
1.5 mi drive to downtown Paisley (about 3 min)
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: September 8, 2026
