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
Dimitri M
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: A
My 13 year old daughter says that the lake "Makes you forget about your problems" and she is right. What a beautiful place, so calming and the rangers can't be nicer. Thanks for keeping this place up, I have been camping there for 15 years and it is a wonderful place centrally located.
Regards,
Dimitri
José R
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: A
Place was neat and well maintained. The staff was very professional and kind.
Holly M
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
The park is beautiful but... The prices are ridiculous for not full hookup. It's less expensive camping at the intercostal water with full water and electrical hookup.
The campsite is really pretty and the water is beautiful. The showers have nice hot water but shower heads were clogged.
We camp here a lot and usually the camp host are nice. This time the camp host were rude. They walked right up in our friends campsite and was snooping around while he was taking a nap in his camper. Then yelled at him for having paper in his fire ring. Hopefully she won't be there next time.
Kathleen J
VerifiedFebruary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A
Nice, small camp ground with easily accessible bathrooms with showers and a dishwashing station. The campsite are decently spaced out with a fire pit, grill, and bear-proof locker. The lake has a sandy beach area great for kids. Canoes are first come, first serve. There are only 2 canoes (and some kayaks), and can only be reserved by one group for the entire day. We were lucky to ask and find out this information first thing in the morning so we were able to rent them for the day. The bike trail is a quick ride from the campsite. It is very peaceful and ideal for a mountain bike as it was sandy in spots with lots of pine needle cover. Definitely recommend if you like biking in the woods and canoeing on an undeveloped lake. We will be back for sure!
Darlene C
VerifiedFebruary 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Emma , the women tending the gate was wonderful. The hosts were gone for a few days and Emma took good care of the park and us. She was very knowledgeable about the park and the area in general. Met the actual park hosts once when they returned.
Michael F
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
This was a cool campground. Great walking trail around the lake, close to bike trails and the bath house spotless. Sites were well kept. We will be back.
Kerry C
VerifiedFebruary 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Other than having zero cell signal, we loved our stay here! The hot showers and bath houses were clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I work remotely so was happy to find a library only a mile away where I had access to WiFi and could plug in my computer. There is a wildlife reserve, about a 1/4 mile from the library. There is a cell tower on the property and the signal (for Verizon) is blazing fast. We could park in the lot, download all our shows from Netflix and watch at night with no problem.
The campsites are spacious and gorgeous…but the paved drive you have to stay on is narrow and short. (There are natural springs under the grass that feed into the lake, and run under some of the campsites. Thus the strict “no driving/parking on the grass” rule.) The palms and pines provide great privacy. Ocala is a gorgeous forest.
The gate is locked at 6 each evening, and it locks campers IN as well as intruders OUT so be aware! (You are given a code upon arrival, but I had zero luck getting it to work the one evening I attempted to leave. Ah well)
Absolutely love this National Forest. The beach is small and quiet, and the lake is Cold and crystal clear. Lots of birding opportunities (bring your binoculars!) The Florida Trail is right outside the gate to the forest. It’s a beautiful walk and sees quite a bit of foot traffic.
If you are looking for a true camping experience in a beautiful setting away from the noise and bustle of the big touristy places? THIS is the campground for you! Reserve online to ensure a spot!
Alexis G
VerifiedFebruary 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
That campground was very quiet and well-kept. The staff was really friendly and helpful, as well. This campground has access to the Florida Trail as well, which was a huge plus for us. The facilities were clean and stocked with toilet paper. Will definitely be back!
Cassidy M
VerifiedFebruary 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
We came here mostly for the single track bike trails, which were great! Challenging but without berms or jumps. Very nice long leaf pine views and we spotted a fox squirrel! The campsites are spacious and campground is quiet. The lake is a nice bonus and the hosts during our stay were very helpful! We look forward to returning.
doug m
VerifiedFebruary 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Clean, very well maintained, super camp 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.
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
