Clearwater Lake Rec Area
National Forests in Florida — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PAISLEY, FL, FL
Price: From $38 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (435 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/clearwater-lake-rec-area to be notified when sites open up.
Clearwater Lake Rec Area offers a quiet, shaded campground along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest with spacious, clean sites and excellent amenities including flush toilets and hot showers. Campers consistently praise the peaceful atmosphere, friendly staff, and beautiful lake views with a 4.5/5 rating from 311 Google reviews.
Wildlife alert: Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Florida Scrub-Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, Mexican Long-nosed Armadillo, Striped Mud Turtle, Coachwhip, and Green Anole present in area
Insider tips for Clearwater Lake Rec Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Sites are spacious with great lake views; request a lakeside site if available Bring a self-contained unit or tent; no hookups available at most sites Wood is available for purchase on-site for fire rings Hike the 1.2 mile nature trail around the lake
Skip Clearwater Lake Rec Area if: You need RV hookups — most sites have no hookups. You plan to camp November through April — seasonal closure. You prefer to book last-minute — book well in advance.
Best time to visit Clearwater Lake Rec Area: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Lake Dorr Cabin (Altoona, FL), Lake Dorr Campground (Altoona, FL), Alexander Springs Recreation Area (ALTOONA, FL), Buck Lake Group Campground (Umatilla, FL).
Cell Phone Coverage at Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Cell signal at Clearwater Lake Rec Area (PAISLEY, FL): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Sites are spacious with great lake views; request a lakeside site if available
Bring a self-contained unit or tent; no hookups available at most sites
Wood is available for purchase on-site for fire rings
Hike the 1.2 mile nature trail around the lake
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — National Forests in Florida fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at National Forests in Florida before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Clearwater Lake Rec Area cost per night?+
What season is Clearwater Lake Rec Area open?+
Does Clearwater Lake Rec Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Clearwater Lake Rec Area?+
How do I make reservations at Clearwater Lake Rec Area?+
What is the cell service like at Clearwater Lake Rec Area?+
What season is Clearwater Lake Rec Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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