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
Ed S
VerifiedFebruary 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
The campground was very nice and the bathroom was kept clean too. The lake is kind of small and shallow but there other lakes just minutes away. I would like to come back again and stay longer than a week.
Richard B
VerifiedFebruary 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: B
Site was as beautiful as we remembered and camp staff was great. The folks who came through to look in during the day were amazing (and big thanks for the rain update), as was the lady at the front desk who checked us all in. Love this location and happy to nake it an annual birthday tradition for my friends and I <3
Vera D
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
Staff friendly, clean restrooms. Lived in area, camped years ago-the campsites should be cleared some where you can have a view of beautiful Clearwater lake. The vines and palmettos haven't been trimmed and thinned, so you don't even have a thin trail to get to the water from your campsite.
Richard L
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
Cold and wet but still very nice
John M
VerifiedFebruary 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
We had a great time at Clearwater Lake. Everyone was courteous and helpful. We had a great view of the lake. The sites and bathrooms are clean and well maintained. You can't go wrong staying here.
Jon A
VerifiedFebruary 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
This is my favorite campground. Emma and the other staff are friendly and helpful, and the campground is immaculate. Campsites are large and shady. I really like the loop hike around the lake and cycling on the Paisley trail.
Robert C
VerifiedFebruary 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: B
Clean beautiful site and staff were extremely polite, friendly and helpful
Karen K
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: A
It is a great campground with private sites, lots of trees & very quiet.
Melissa W
VerifiedFebruary 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Beautiful sites with excellent trail access.
Jennifer M
VerifiedFebruary 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
We knew that there would be no hookups for our travel trailer so that was not an issue. We were prepared to shower in the bathrooms and use our battery and propane to run the basics. We were not prepared for the unlevel sites however and had to switch to a new site after not being able to safely level our trailer at this first one. Luckily the site across the road was available. The campground was very nice. Clean, hot showers. Lovely lake and beautiful sunsets. We like hiking and the Florida Trail is right at the entrance. We managed to do a 10 mile hike to Duck pond and back! We will definitely be back but will be more picky about finding a level site next time!
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
