Waterfront
Canoes
Trailhead
Trail information
Picnic area

Featured amenities

Showers Showers

About Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida. With a shaded campground, day use picnic area, beach and a nature trail that winds through the pine woods and scrub around Clearwater Lake, this facility has plenty of activities to keep campers occupied. The Ocala National Forest, in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.

Available sites

38 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

38 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 10, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 11, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 12, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 13, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 14, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 15, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 16, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 17, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 18, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 19, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 2, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 20, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 21, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 22, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 24, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 25, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 26, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 27, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 28, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 29, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 3, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 32, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 34, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 35, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 36, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 37, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 38, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 39, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 4, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 40, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 41, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 42, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 5, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 6, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 7, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 8, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 9, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

449 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its spacious, well-maintained campsites and friendly, supportive staff, making it a favorite for many campers. The natural setting and lake provide enjoyable swimming and outdoor activities, although there are concerns regarding ticks and the recent algae bloom in the water. Overall, visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness of the facilities, with many expressing their intention to return.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 449 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 71.5% (321)
4 stars 17.6% (79)
3 stars 4.9% (22)
2 stars 4.2% (19)
1 star 1.8% (8)

Showing 449 reviews

Robert M H

Verified

December 14, 2025 Stayed at: 39, Loop: B

Friendly park personnel and clean facilities.

Helpful

Kerry S

Verified

December 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!

Helpful

Bob J

Verified

December 7, 2025 Stayed at: 27, Loop: B

Beautiful and well run campground

Helpful

Liz P

Verified

December 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.

Helpful

Shirley G

Verified

December 7, 2025 Stayed at: 26, Loop: B

Love it there nice biking and walking trails.

Helpful

Eric D

Verified

November 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.

Helpful

Robert S

Verified

November 23, 2025 Stayed at: 6, Loop: A

Nice experience with helpful staff.

Helpful

Mel R

Verified

November 17, 2025 Stayed at: 10, Loop: A

We love this campground. It's small, quiet, and perfect with kids. The little beach by the lake is lovely, and there are nice hikes around. The hosts are super nice. This is our third time camping here, and we'll be back :)

Helpful

David F

Verified

November 15, 2025 Stayed at: 38, Loop: B

Great place to camp, super clean and Host were GREAT.

Helpful

Lando R

Verified

November 13, 2025 Stayed at: 19, Loop: A

It was beautiful and pleasant.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Clearwater Lake Rec Area

24511 Cr 42, Paisley, FL 32767 United States

Elevation: 16 ft

Getting There

From the intersection of Florida Highways 19 and 42, go east on Highway 42 toward Paisley. Drive approximately 6 mi and turn left at the entrance to Clearwater Lake Recreation Area.

Nearest town

Paisley, FL - 1.5 mi

About 3 min to downtown

Highway access

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is accessible via Florida Highway 42, and is located approximately 6 miles east of the intersection with Florida Highway 19.

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Paisley, FL

Population: 757

Nearby city: Deltona, FL

Approx. 20 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 72 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service