Clearwater Lake Recreation 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.
More like this: reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida · pets allowed in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 38 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
38 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 2 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 3 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 4 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 5 | A | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 6 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 7 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 8 | A | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 9 | A | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 10 | A | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site 27 is listed accessible |
The campground area is nicely shaded, its breezy lakefront sites border Clearwater Lake. Sites accommodate motor homes, trailers and tents, and flush toilets and showers are available. A dish washing station is also available in both loops. Campsites have level parking pads and space for tents. No hookups are available. The small town of Paisley is a mile away, with camping supplies, a post office and a library with Internet access.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | National Forests in Florida |
| Booking | Reservations may be made by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax per person For more information on fees and how to reserve your site, please visit the concessionaire at Naventure. |
| Rules | All Ocala National Forest campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnic areas. There is a maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Paisley, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28.9794° N, 81.5550° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pkay it Again ↗ | 17.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Southern RV Inc ↗ | 17.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Clearwater Lake Recreation Site in the Ocala National Forest. Every Site Campground review
Worth a stop
The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available within a short drive of Clearwater Lake.
- 5.6 miLake Dorr Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miClearwater Lake Loop1.3 mi trail · hiking
- 0.3 miPaisley Woods Mtn Bike ↗22 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miFnst - Seminole Section ↗27.4 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_scenic_or_historic
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Alexander Springs Wilderness begins about 5.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.7 miAlexander Springs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,327 acres
- 6.8 miBillies Bay Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,064 acres
- 7.1 miLake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 21,168 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- South Methodist Episcopal Church at UmatillaBuilding · Umatilla · 7.9 mi
- Carr Family CabinBuilding · Umatilla · 9.5 mi
- Laroe Family Homestead Historic DistrictHistoric district · Eustis · 10.5 mi
Natural features
The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. With ample habitat, alligators, turtles, deer, raccoons, black bear and numerous birds make their home here.
Recreation
The abundant water in the area offers many opportunities for recreation. In addition to swimming in the lake, a 7-mile canoe trail meanders not far from Clearwater Lake. Canoe rentals are available at the campground. Campers can fish for largemouth bass, brim or catfish. Hikers have access to the Clearwater Lake Loop Trail, a 1.3-mile nature trail; a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail; and mountain bikers can ride the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a 22-mile forested path. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. It is also alligator country; practice caution around water.
Guidebooks for Florida
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax per person For more information on fees and how to reserve your site, please visit the concessionaire at Naventure.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Clearwater Lake Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Clearwater Lake Recreation Area have?
42 sites, including 38 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Sites accommodate motor homes, trailers and tents, and flush toilets and showers are available.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Site 27 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
The abundant water in the area offers many opportunities for recreation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Clearwater Lake Recreation Area?
Paisley, Florida. The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida.
Source: Getting there