About Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 38
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Potable Water -
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
38 Sites Available
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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 (428)
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful campground, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, creating a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors. Many guests appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the variety of outdoor activities available, including swimming, kayaking, and hiking. However, there are concerns about a significant tick infestation, which has affected several campers and their pets, suggesting the need for better awareness and prevention measures.
What Guests Are Saying
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful campground, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, creating a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors. Many guests appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the variety of outdoor activities available, including swimming, kayaking, and hiking. However, there are concerns about a significant tick infestation, which has affected several campers and their pets, suggesting the need for better awareness and prevention measures.
Review Summary
Corey R
VerifiedJune 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
It was a beautiful, peaceful, quiet campsite.
carol a
VerifiedMarch 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Clearwater is a very nice campground with relatively even, spacious sites. Folks manning the facility were extremely nice. Bathrooms are spotless and accommodating. Its location is centralized for a home base for paddling 5 of the most beautiful, spring-fed streams in the state. The reason I gave it a 4 is because there are no hookups. I know the federal govt is known for the basics, but for those people who want to stay up to five days, they have trouble minimizing the water and battery usage. The thing that angers me is that they allow generators. Those things run all night long and give off too much exhaust. That is so rude. Why not upgrade to water & electric. That would eliminate the nuisance noise and smell.
Scott C
VerifiedMarch 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Always have a great time at Clearwater Lake. Sites were beautiful, clean and well-maintained, as usual. We will be back!
Jessica S
VerifiedMarch 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: A
Beautiful camping experience. Facilities were well kept. Nice trails and beautiful lake. Perfect for an off the grid weekend with family and friends.
dennis c
VerifiedMarch 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
nice quiet camp, my pad wasn't long enough for popup and van
Lucinda F
VerifiedMarch 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: B
We spent 3 nights here because our site at another campground was reserved for the weekend. The online description for site 24A did not indicate any restrictions or obstructions and did not provide a picture that would have shown a tree in the way for our right side slide. We had to pull forward of the tree which left a very tight spot to park our truck. The camp hosts were quick to demand no tires touching the dirt next to the asphalt but did nothing about the 10 people in 3 tents partying until 3 am at the site behind us (site limit is 5 people and 2 tents) or their extension cord running to the bath house. If you're going to enforce rules, make it the ones that matter. The campground loop is very tight; a little uncomfortable driving our 33 ft 5th wheel out.
Elke h C
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
Tent camped here with a friend before meeting up with a group of people to backpack a couple of days on the Florida trail. Left our cars at the campground for a fee because we felt that they would be safer there than at the trailhead.
Nice quiet place. Clean shower house. Only drawback was that I didn't had cell phone coverage. Had to drive a few miles to be able to contact my friend when she wasn't arriving on time.
John N
VerifiedFebruary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
Nice clean quiet Park9
Ed H
VerifiedFebruary 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
Great location, facilities, and staff.
Ed H
VerifiedFebruary 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Great location, facilities, and 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.
Latitude & Longitude: 28.9794 / -81.555
Elevation: 16 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Campers can check in at 2:00 pm and must check out by 11am. We do not accomodate early check-ins or late check-outs. |
| General |
Campground gate is locked at 6 p.m. during Daylight Savings (Mar - Oct) and 4 p.m. (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. |
| General |
Campsites are limited to 2 tents, 2 vehicles (campers included), and 5 persons. |
| General |
Extra vehicles will be charged a per-vehicle, per-night fee |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Alligators inhabit the area; use caution around water. |
| General |
Private vessel launches in the Juniper Wilderness Run are subject to a fee. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Click here for more information about Ocala National Forest |
| General |
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. |
