Clearwater Lake campground

Peaceful federal campground in Ocala National Forest. We stayed two nights here in February, the sites were large with bear box, fire ring, lamp post and picnic table. No utilities at the sites but water and a dump station are available as are two clean and well maintained shower/restroom facilities. There is a small lake with a beach, swimming area and paddle craft for rent. Bags of ice and firewood can be purchased at the entry station. Grounds are well maintained and bear safety and site parking rules (vehicles must be on the pavement) are enforced. We purchased firewood for $7 plus tax and the host was kind enough to deliver it directly to our site. We spent time paddling the lake, swimming and hiking. There is a beautiful trail the encircles the lake, about 1.2 miles, and there are means of access to the Florida Trail from the campground as well. Cost is pretty steep for no hook ups, we paid $63.50 for the two nights excluding taxes and reservation fees. Cell service was hit or miss with our T-Mobile hot spot and good with our Verizon phones. My only complaint/suggestion would be to designate one of the two loops as generator free. It was so peaceful sitting around the fire in the evenings but I would have to resort to playing some quiet music as the generators around us started up.

Overall pretty good camping and day use spot. Pros: Camp sites have grill, table, and bear box. Bear proof trash cans and bathroom/shower also close by. Easy lake access with both walking and biking trails. Cons: Kind of expensive and the most ticks I’ve ever seen while camping (April ‘23). Tent camping and RV spots intermingled so you’ll likely hear RV or generator humming all night.

Beautiful, large campsites, bear boxes provided but no electric. Lake was nice for a quick dip, rangers super nice and helpful

From the start of the camping stay it was one thing after another the camp site rented for 3 days fri till Monday. For 2 cars up to 5 people to stay over night and visitors to get a day pass. The couple we went with left for the day and we arrived at the camp site before I could even get my jeep unloaded the camp host whistling at me from the golf cart to tell me I can't park on the sand to unload the kayak. So moved the jeep up besides my daughter's car with 2 wheels on asphalt and 2 wheels on rock soon camp host back to state can't have wheels on rock. So moved jeep again. Then he kept circling the site, checking on if my service dog was on a 6 foot leash. Finally I decided I would just rent the campsite next to the couple site so maybe he would just leave us alone. Rented the campsite online, after the lecture of the rules returned to the newly rented camp site to find a truck someone in the site, drive back up to make the gate person aware but nope I had to tell the person I rented it. So now thinking all is good we start cooking after several checks from the host, his wife totally took any enjoyment out of the stay. Then the couple we were with got lectured about a lock that locks the gate at night and apparently not locking it correctly, then go yo take trash to trash container the host yells from his spot for me to just leave the garbage he will put it in the trash, we put it in the trash and he immediately came to check it out. Made it through the night...go to take a shower none of the women showers work dribbling water, dirty. My daughter comes to spend the day as now we have 2 sites can have 4 cars 10 stay over people and they were stopped at the gate by the camp host wife giving them a hard time claiming that we were given out site passes. Finally today people not registered to a site able to drive around camp sites asking other campers about the place. Well we spent $87.00 and some odd cents to stay there as well as the e other couple and it was the most uncomfortable, non stop hassle ever we are in our late 50's non parties and was treated poorly. Not only do I want a refund but the place and the staff needs an overhaul. It was the most terrible Father's Day. William Howell Lori Linscott

We rented a site for 3 days non stop harassment by camp hosts, gate attendant. Women's bathroom showers do not work, bathroom dirty. The non stop circling and counseling by the host was too much... Ruined the whole camping experience. Don't camp here as it is policed by the staff to make you feel so uncomfortable when we were not doing anything wrong