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
Chris S
VerifiedDecember 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Absolutely my kids favorite camping trip of the year. Took her out camping somewhere else and all she could talk about was the trip to Clearwater.
Charles M
VerifiedDecember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: B
Nice woodsy campground with access to forest service roads and several trails, including the Florida Trail, which began nearby in the Ocala National Forest.
gordon i
VerifiedNovember 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
great getaway
Henry M
VerifiedNovember 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: A
Joe and Kevin are dependable and dedicated hosts with engaging personalities. Facilities are well maintained.
Gerald H
VerifiedNovember 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: B
This is one of our favorite go-to spots. It's close to home and very clean. Staff has always been wonderful and friendly.
Billy S
VerifiedNovember 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
We had a great time
Nicole R
VerifiedNovember 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: A
Sites were clean, bathrooms were clean, and everyone we encountered was super nice!
T.J. P
VerifiedNovember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: A
THE STAFF IS FANTASTIC AND ATTEMPTED TO BE VERY ACCOMODATING THROUGHOUT MY STAY. SEVERAL SITES HAD CHILDREN RUNNING A MUCK, (ONE HAD 11 KIDS PLAYING FOOTBALL AT 7:30AM OUTSIDE MY TENT!!) AND THE STAFF SEEMED TO BE AT WITS END ON HOW TO GET THESE PEOPLE TO CEASE AND DESIST, BUT THE SAID THEY'RE HANDS ARE PRETTY MUCH TIED.
FOR THE MOST-PART THE CAMPGROUNDS, ALTHOUGH RELAXING, IS IN NEED OF RENOVATION. THE PAVED PARKING AREAS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SITES IS BROKEN UP AND THE SITES ARE SUFFERING FROM EROSION CAUSED BY WATER RUN OFF. THERE ARE ONLY 2 SITES IN THE ENTIRE CAMPGROUND WITH ELECTRICITY. ONE IS USED BY THE CAMP HOST, THE OTHER CANNOT BE USED DUE TO BEING ON "HOLD" IN CASE OF A FOREST FIRE ITS A SETUP LOCATION FOR THE FIRE SERVICES. SO IF YOUR LIKE ME, A DISABLED VET WHO REQUIRES A BREATHING MACHINE AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES REQUIRING POWER THEN THIS CAMPGROUND IS NOT FOR YOU. GENERATORS ARE REQUIRED TO BE OFF BY 10PM.
THERE'S NO REASON IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO NOT HAVE AT LEAST HALF THE CAMPGROUND WITH ACCESS TO POWER. SEVERAL OF THE FIRE PIT GRILL TOPS WERE BROKEN THEREFORE ALL COOKING HAD TO BE DONE AT THE CHARCOAL GRILL. THE HAND DRIERS IN THE BATHROOMS MADE A LOT OF NOISE BUT DIDNT BLOW ANY AIR TO DRY YOUR HANDS. FOR A LAKE THAT SIZE IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WERE MORE THAT ONE ACCESS POINT (WHICH IS SMALL)....IT CAN GET VERY CROWDED AT THE HEAT OF THE DAY AND THERE'S NO PEACE IN THE WATER WITH 30 KIDS GOING NUTS AROUND YOU AND THEIR PARENTS DONT GIVE A DAMN.
Billy S
VerifiedNovember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
The campsite was beautiful and very well maintained. The staff and camp hosts were awesome. We had a great time and will be back soon!
MATTEA F
VerifiedOctober 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
The staff was incredibly rude and inconsiderate to the point where it was hard to enjoy the time I spent there. I will say however the bathrooms / showers were clean
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
