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
Rodney W
VerifiedMarch 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
We stayed for two nights at the campground in a Class A motorhome. Our site was positioned well and was in the circle of sites around the bath house. Although the site was in a good position, it was not really level. When we leveled it, the front tires were about 3 inches off the ground. The second night we were there, we moved the camper back on the parking pad a few feet. This was better, but 2 of the tires were still a couple inches off the ground. There are no electric or water hookups at this campground. We filled up the fresh water tank at the faucet at the entrance near the gate house. In the time since I made the reservation, my husband has been put on a CPAP machine, so the nights we were there, he wasn't able to use his machine. (Generators have to be turned off at 10:00.). We also didn't have good Verizon cell service. Overall, this wasn't our favorite campground during our trip. It also wasn't the worst.
The host who checked us in was very friendly. He told us there was a Dollar General down the road and recommended the Italian restaurant a couple miles away in Paisley. We ate there and it was very good. He also told us that the Circle K nearby was good for getting gas in a big rig, which was extremely helpful since it makes me a little nervous to take the motorhome with the tow car to get gas.
Roland J
VerifiedMarch 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
Very quiet park. Well maintained bath house and grounds. Staff is friendly and helpful. Note that contrary to the web site this is a no hookup park. Cellular signal for Verizon was good.
Wilbur A
VerifiedMarch 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: B
This is a beautiful wooded campground. The campsite was spacious and the restrooms were very clean. Loved hiking the trail around the lake and the Florida Trail next to the campground. The lake was beautiful and lived up to its name with crystal clear water. Although there were trailers and RVs, this is an ideal campground for tent campers like us. The staff were super friendly and helpful.
randy b
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: B
This campground is not big friendly! We have a 35’ 5th Wheel that is 13.5 high. We hit a tree limb in loop A in part because we were told to not drive on grass. There is no maneuvering room as the roads are narrow. Corners are tight. Wish we had known this before reserving. Next time we’ll call and hope that the rangers know the park and whether we are able to get in safely...
Cheryl F
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
Loved Clearwater Lake CG. Loved paddling around the lake, and riding the bike trail to Alexander Springs . Showers hot and bathrooms clean. Very quiet here!
Adriana C
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: B
Although we ended up camping on the stormiest weekend in ONF, we still had a great time. We were in site 37 and my brother and his friends were in site 39. We ended up being right next to each other! The bathrooms and showers were a few steps behind us. The campsite was clean, it was quiet when it needed to be, people and staff were friendly and respectful. Campsite 36 and 34 seems to be a tad bit more private so if available, I would pick either one of those. We did walk around the trails in our campsite. My brother and his friends brought their ATV’s and although you can ride in our campground, trails were only about 30 minutes away. Firewood and ice are for sale on site and you are provided a gate code to get in and out of after hours. Overall, plan to go back (preferably when cool temperatures and no rain).
Michael G
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
Nice and quiet only four other campers including the park host.
Grace T
VerifiedFebruary 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: B
We have been going here for years and I recently had the privilege to get married here beautiful background
Donald D
VerifiedFebruary 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
No power, me that going in...bit every spot is shaded. Not enough sun to power solar. Allows dogs by no place to let them run.
Mike C
VerifiedFebruary 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: B
Bathhouse was kept immaculate despite large number of campers.
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 3, 2026
