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
Vladimir B
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Beautiful place, Crystal clear lake, very nice stuff .
Nadia D
VerifiedJune 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Great Place, super quiet and clean!
Diane M
VerifiedMay 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
My husband and myself had a great time relaxing and enjoying the views as well as our doggie.
The lake was beautiful.👍🏽
The staff was absolutely wonderful! 🙂
Mark L
VerifiedMay 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Quiet campground
Beth D
VerifiedApril 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
The cleanest restrooms ever. Loved the hike around the lake. Swimming was wonderfully relaxing.
ERNEST F
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Enjoyed our stay in a very beautiful spot from which we could see the lake. Enjoyed time with some friends. The only issue we dad was it is(was) caterpillar season in the oak trees which is a bit annoying and it turned out I had a allergic reaction to them. If we return it will be later in the Spring.
Edward R
VerifiedApril 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
A very relaxing and quiet stay with a warm lake to swim in. This was my family and I first stay at Clearwater Lake Recreation area and my two little ones enjoy their daily swim in the clear and warm lake. There was schools of fish swimming around us and the occasional soft shell turtle would show up.
1. What we really like about this park was it is a non-motorized lake and no fishing or dogs are allowed in it. We’re from out west and have been to many lakes which both items are allowed and most folks don’t follow the no- wake rules and the anglers don’t like paddlers.
2. Boondocking is good for getting back to nature. Even in a travel trailer. The weekends got busy with weekend warriors but they were respectful of everyone space.
3. The trees are very low hanging on Loop 1. And you’ll have to know your rig and drive slow...
4. It’s a perfect location for a trip to Deland, Florida if you need to pick up groceries or go out to eat or take a day day trip to Daytona Beach.
5. The area is prone for forest fires and we were warned about having to evacuate but the local fire department took care of it during the night. I highly recommend this Recreation area for families and all campers looking for little piece of mind in central Florida.
R Bruce A
VerifiedApril 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
The campground is always very clean. Staff is quick to clean up the sites for the next campers. Restrooms are exceptionally clean, and I've seen lots of restrooms in my retirement years.
The staff (Joe and Emma) are always cheerful, and are always happy to help me and other campers as well. They are great!
R Bruce Alford
Pamela R
VerifiedApril 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: B
Could not maneuver into site 24 or 30 because of trees and overhanging branch in loop 1 would have ripped off our ax if we hadn’t been able to swing wide enough. Very disappointed as the park was really nice.
Jerome C
VerifiedApril 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
A most beautiful and peaceful place. The campsites are very well maintained, and the park service staff are helpful & friendly. It is a glorious place to camp.
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
