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Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
Ocala National Forest Offices and Rec Sites Remain Closed (10/11/2024)
Ocala National Forest Offices and Rec Sites Remain Closed (10/11/2024)
Enjoy a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley. A longleaf pine forest and wiregrass ecosystem surrounds the 32-acre lake and provides a beautiful, shaded, wooded setting for the campground, a day-use picnic area, beach and a nature trail.
Boating
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Paddle your canoe or kayak across our placid waters in search of a quiet spot along the reedy shoreline. It's slightly more than a mile circuit around the edge.
Camping
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Nicely shaded, the 42-space Clearwater Lake Campground provides breezy lakefront sites. It accommodates both trailers and tents, and has bathhouses with showers.
Fishing
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Cast a line from your campsite or wade out into the grassy shallows for a chance to catch both bream and catfish.
Hiking & Backpacking
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The Clearwater Lake Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop starting at the day use area. It is an easy walk that traverses the major habitats around the lake, including pine flatwoods, freshwater marsh and oak scrub, providing interpretive information and numerous benches for birding or resting.
Mountain Biking
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Explore 22 miles of singletrack along the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail between Alexander Springs Recreation Area and Clearwater Lake Recreation Area.
Swimming
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A swimming beach along Clearwater Lake provides a place for families to frolic in the water.
This site is operated by Naventure.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Expect full recreation sites during weekends. Have backup plans. Sites may close when capacity is reached. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | 8 a.m. to dusk daily. Campers have 24-hour access to the gates with an access code. ** Alcoholic beverages are not permitted into this Day-Use area. |
| Reservations: | Reservations for the campground may be made by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at Recreation.gov. |
| Rentals & Guides: | Canoe rentals are available. Please ask the entrance station for more information. |
| Fees: | Ocala National Forest Recreation Area Pass - The day use pass is $80 + tax/person; For more information on fees, please visit the concessionaire at www.naventure.com. Visitors are welcome to bring their own canoe for the launch on the lake. Fees are subject to change without notification. |
| Usage: | Light-Medium |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is located between Paisley and Altoona in the northeastern corner of Lake County, north of the Eustis / Mount Dora area. |
| Passes: | Ocala National Forest Recreation Area Pass - The day use pass is $80 + tax/person; good from date of purchase through end of the year. It provides entrance to recreation areas managed by Naventure: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Clearwater Lake and Wildcat Lake. This pass is available for purchase from Naventure at Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs and Silver Glen Springs. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Senior Pass, Lifetime Senior Pass and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on the fee for a single campsite occupied by the passholder at the following campgrounds managed by Adventure Ocala:
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| Operated By: | Naventure |
General Information
General Notes:Amenities
- Camping (tent and RVs)
- Drinking water
- Flush toilets
- Interpretive site
- Picnic area and tables
- Showers
- Swim beach
Licenses and Passes
Boating
- Boating in the National Forests in Florida is regulated by the state of Florida. Please visit our boating web page before you grab your personal floatation device and head out onto the water.
Fishing
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Florida requires a state license for all fishing activities. Visit our fishing web page before you grab your gear.