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
Robert M
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
The site was clean and the hosts were attentive. The bathrooms were not as clean as in the past. There was clearly something growing on the shower walls and not all the lights were functioning.
Paul S
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: B
Quiet and well maintained, clean.
Dallas S
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: B
Nice hosts; clean bathrooms
Ray R
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
The campground has exclusive real estate on a perfect lake. Most of the campsites i walked by had views of the water and the overall site is well maintained. The host camper Jerry was helpful and polite.
I hiked down from palatka on The Florida Trail and he made the experience seemless.
I was a bit surprises by the mandatory two day reservation when staying weekend with CWL but that just for ed me to enjoy a bit more time.
Latisha O
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
The sites my group had were decent size big enough for more than 5 people. We all ended up using just 1 but was forced to pay for 3. 2 of the fire pits were broken and one of the picnic tables were broken with exposed rusty metal as a hazard. You can’t fish unless you rent a canoe but it was almost impossible to find someone at the gate to rent. The bathrooms needed some serious updates. The rv and tent sites are mixed together and it wasn’t peaceful listing to generators run from 6:30 am until 10 pm.
Raul A
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
Excelente lugar para pasar unos días muy agradables en familia , mucha tranquilidad, el personal de vigilancia muy amable , los baños buenos . Todo recomendado.
Vera D
VerifiedJanuary 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
Love Clearwater Lake campground. Very peaceful, clean. The trail around the lake is just about a mile which is enjoyable.
Campground hosts Jerry and Terry are friendly and professional.
Don M
VerifiedDecember 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: B
Very pleasant stay. Helpful staff.
John K
VerifiedDecember 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is tops on our list of favorite camping spots! Beautiful woods, private camp sites, and very hospitable, helpful staff. It's also a great place for hiking, and a central spot for paddling other Ocala streams and lakes, particularly Alexander and Juniper Springs. We love this place!
Enrique T
VerifiedDecember 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: B
Great Hostess, cleaned facilities,beautiful place, pristine nature and more.
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
