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
Mark D
VerifiedDecember 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
Great place. Campground hosts are top notch. The place is clean and well kept. Campsites are spacious and the lack of electrical hookups keeps it rustic and free of huge RVs. It is the best of a traditional campground.
Kevin Q
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
The drinking water should be tested for portability. It does not smell potable.
Jack W
VerifiedDecember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
Way too expensive. Was coming off of the Florida Trail, so $50 for one night was just too unreasonable for a backpacker not using all the amenities. If it wasn’t so late I likely would have just pushed through to the next site. At least they have potable water and bear protection.
Robert M H
VerifiedDecember 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: B
Friendly park personnel and clean facilities.
Liz P
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
My husband and I took our grandchildren for two nights and they had a blast. They loved canoeing, the nature walks and having a fire at the end of the day. We will definitely take them back soon. The camp hosts were super friendly and nice.
Shirley G
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: B
Love it there nice biking and walking trails.
Kerry S
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: A
This is a perfect family campsite. The lake is clear due to it being spring fed, and there are trails galore. Bathing area/restrooms are very clean and hosts are very nice. The campsite itself has a charcoal grill, lantern pole and fire ring with swing away cooking grate. Perfect!
Bob J
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
Beautiful and well run campground
Eric D
VerifiedNovember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
We love this place. Caretakers are amazing and take great care of the rec area and camp sites.. Bathrooms are clean and all facilities well maintained. We try to visit as many parks as we can but always come back to Clearwater Lake Rec Area as out favorite. Great starviewing on a clear night. This campground is what got my then 4 year old daughter into camping. I don't want to say too many good things because I want my favorite site to be avaliable.
Robert S
VerifiedNovember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: A
Nice experience with helpful staff.
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
