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 (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
K S
VerifiedFebruary 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
Nice campground, but expensive. Run by a contractor. They charged us $9/night for the 3rd car, which was not allowed to park on our site but had to be parked at the rest room area, a ways away. A 3rd vehicle that was an RV would have been free and able to park on the site. The personnel there give us elaborate made-up stories about how if we park on the grass, we'll ruin the special sand that they have there. Transparently ridiculous. I felt jammed by the cost and their rules.
ruth w
VerifiedJanuary 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
Camp host very helpful at checkin since I didn't have phone reception.
Nice trail walk around the lake.
Carl S
VerifiedJanuary 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: B
This is a wonderful destination for tent or RV. No shortage of trails for hiking or biking and a gorgeous lake to catch a sunset on.
Mike O
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
I was happy to see that they took bear issues seriously. Keep bears and people safe.
William R
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A
Nice place. Great staff. Very helpful. The vew was very nice.
Brittany C
VerifiedJanuary 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Goregous location! Very well maintained. There was enough shade during the sunny morning and afternoon to not over heat your tent. Lake side picnic tables were lovely for watching the sunset. A great location to reconnect with nature.
Amenities were very clean, better then most places I've camped. We cannot wait to stay again.
James M
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
Camp host was very nice and the facility was clean and pretty quiet in loop 2
Robert B
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Very nice dry camping experience. We stayed at site 12 and it was great. We were there Jan 8 & 9. Hunting season was still going and we did not have any blaze orange to wear so we could not hike a local trail or the Florida Trail that run through the Recreation Area, The lake is very nice and there is a 1 mile trail around the lake where hunting is not allowed. We will definitely be back.
Danny M
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: A
Good
Marcy C
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
Would definitely recommend! This was a great camping experience. Each campsite is well maintained and has a fire pit, grill, large bear locker (with option for using a padlock), parking pad (large enough for 2 cars/trucks or small camper) and large picnic table. There is drinking water available and the bathroom facilities are very clean. The showers have surprisingly good water pressure and are actually HOT! The lake is lovely and there are tons of hiking options from the camping area or nearby. You can purchase firewood and ice right at the guard house. The hosts were super friendly as well. Just know that the campsites are close to each other and there are famines, groups, dogs etc. So you don't have a private campsite. DeLand is about a 40 min drive if you need supplies or want an afternoon in town.
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 4, 2026
