OutReserve

Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Waterfront
Canoes
Trailhead
Trail information
Picnic area

Featured amenities

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.

Number of accommodations: 38

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
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
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
14, Loop: A
5 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 2, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 3, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 35, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 37, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 38, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 39, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 4, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 40, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 41, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 42, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 5, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 6, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 7, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 8, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 9, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.5
433 reviews
5
71.8%
311
4
17.3%
75
3
4.8%
21
2
4.2%
18
1
1.8%
8

Ryan S

Verified

September 8, 2025 Stayed at: 16, Loop: A

4

Over $130 dollars for tent camping for three nights?! Not a fan of the new policy that makes you book three nights on holiday weekends. Eight dollars in fees just to book online? Really?! We ended up going home early as all we wanted was two nights. These prices are going to push more people into boondocking which will be bad for forrest health in the long term. The facilities were well maintained, as you should expect for that price.

Thomas S

Verified

September 5, 2025 Stayed at: 38, Loop: B

5

Was very much impressed with the visit. The hosts were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were super clean. The appearance of the park was excellent.

Stacey G

Verified

July 27, 2025 Stayed at: 3, Loop: A

5

Terry and Jerry are amazing hosts! The bath houses were incredibly clean and well maintained. The campsites were all immaculate with bear boxes for your food, a pristine grill and fire pit.
We spent every morning playing in the lake; whether kayaking or stand up paddle boarding (which we rented for next to nothing from the gate house) or just sitting in our inflatable chairs. The water is clear and warm!
We will 100% be back to camp here!!!

Hamilcar F

Verified

July 6, 2025 Stayed at: 40, Loop: B

5

Quiet, bathrooms great, felt that my family was safe. Just a great experience overall.

Deyanira P

Verified

May 6, 2025 Stayed at: 17, Loop: A

1

We were amazed by the beauty of the park and lake, but unfortunately, it’s heavily infested with ticks. We’ve been camping for years and have never experienced anything like this — we found ticks in different parts of our bodies and not to mention on our dog. Four days later, we’re still dealing with them at home. There were no warning signs or prevention info at the entrance, which is very concerning. We’re honestly horrified and wish we hadn’t gone. Not sure if it’s tick season, but this was an awful experience.

Stacia Y

Verified

May 5, 2025 Stayed at: 15, Loop: A

4

Campsite 15 is the absolute best!
Can’t wait to come back.

Eunice H

Verified

April 8, 2025 Stayed at: 41, Loop: B

5

The campground, bathhouse, and dishwashing station was kept immaculate. Very clean. The staff and camp hosts were friendly and helpful. Very close access to the Florida Trail for hiking.

Victor G

Verified

March 30, 2025 Stayed at: 19, Loop: A

5

Our camping spot was amazing, the views and water were amazing (very cold though). The shower facilities were cleaner than expected. The trail around the lake was amazing. Jerry and the other host were very helpful and friendly.

Miguel V

Verified

March 28, 2025 Stayed at: 16, Loop: A

4

we stay here at least once a year and its always a great time. the staff is super friendly and accommodating. hot showers are a nice thing and the area is always clea .

Laurie W

Verified

March 24, 2025 Stayed at: 36, Loop: B

1

I have been camping at this park many times and love it. This last visit was horrible. The noise from other campers was so loud one of us had to go and ask them to keep it down. They were playing music and screaming well into the night. Both loops had many sites that were very loud, kids running through other campsites and several teens right by our site on the water yelling loudly at 7:00 in the morning. The bathrooms smelled horrible when we arrived but that was cleaned up the next day. I am sure there is not much you can do, but you have a right to know.

Location Clearwater Lake Rec Area

Address:
24511 Cr 42
Paisley, FL, 32767
United States

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.

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service