Clearwater Lake Recreation Area

With a shaded campground, a day use picnic area and beach, and a nature trail throughout the pine woods and scrub around Clearwater Lake, Clearwater Lake Recreation Area is a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley.

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

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

Nicely shaded, the 42-space Clearwater Lake Campground provides breezy lakefront sites. It accommodates both trailers and tents, and has bathhouses with showers.

Fishing

Cast a line from your campsite or wade out into the grassy shallows for a chance to catch both bream and catfish.

Hiking & Backpacking

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

Explore 22 miles of singletrack along the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail between Alexander Springs Recreation Area and Clearwater Lake Recreation Area.

Swimming

A swimming beach along Clearwater Lake provides a place for families to frolic in the water.