Camping at Nimisila Reservoir: Family Fun, Fish, and a Sudden Storm

David Harris
4 days ago
4 min read

We had big plans for this trip — two full days of camping, fishing, and hanging out as a family at Nimisila Reservoir Campground. But like most of my outdoor adventures, things didn’t go exactly how I imagined. Between the heat, bugs, and a surprise thunderstorm, our stay was shorter than expected. Still, it ended up being one of those trips we’ll remember forever — especially for the time we got to spend together before things got wild.

Setting Up Camp (Team Effort Style)

We rolled into camp on July 25 with a full crew: Kaiden, Angel, Wyatt, Teddy, and me. Everyone pitched in right away — setting up the tent, helping unload gear, figuring out where things should go. Kaiden was setting up his hammock for the first time and even learned a few knots to get it rigged properly. It was one of those cool dad moments where you get to teach something, and they actually use it.

Once we were settled, we grabbed water bottles and went for a walk around the campground to explore. The kids helped me scout around for the best fishing spot for the next morning. We checked out the docks and eventually stumbled across a small playground where they messed around for a bit and just let loose.

We didn’t start the fire until it got dark, but once we did, we added one of those color-changing fire packets and just hung out by the flames. That part felt like the picture of what I want these trips to be — fun, relaxed, together.

Two kids stand on a dock by a calm lake. One wears a yellow shirt and smiles, while the other looks at the water. Trees line the horizon.

Three people on a wooden dock by a calm lake. One in a yellow shirt looks at the camera; the other two face the water. Overcast sky.

Playground with a blue slide and red swings in a grassy park, surrounded by trees. A child in orange is on a swing. Dusk setting.

Two children are playing cornhole in a grassy, wooded area. One wears a yellow shirt, the other green. A black truck is parked nearby.

Almost Movie Night, But Not Quite

We tried to do a movie night on the tablet after the fire, just as a way to chill together in the dark, but the bugs were too much. Even with citronella candles and bug bracelets, they found us. So we bailed on the fire and all crammed into the tent.

Now here's where it got a little rough — the tent technically sleeps four, and we technically had four people in there. But once you factor in a full-size air mattress, the summer heat, and no real airflow, it was like a sweaty game of human Tetris. We were trying to stay cool, trying not to touch each other too much, and trying to pretend we were tired.

Wyatt at least was happy that we were only about 20 minutes from home — close enough to still get decent signal. He passed some time on his phone and even got his PlayStation Portal working. Not exactly “roughing it,” but hey, whatever keeps a 12-year-old happy while camping.

Child sits by a campfire under a tent at night, surrounded by trees. Warm light from the fire creates a cozy atmosphere.

Bugged Out and Back Home

By about 10:30 PM, it was pretty clear the night wasn’t going to get any more comfortable. The heat, the bugs, the tight space — it all added up. Angel, Wyatt, and Kaiden were ready to tap out. I couldn’t blame them. So I drove them back home and returned to camp with Teddy.

Just the two of us.

Teddy’s Adventure Day

At 6:00 AM, a thunderstorm rolled in and dumped buckets on our tent for a couple of hours. It woke us up, but there was something kind of cozy about it — just listening to the rain while hunkered down in our little shelter.

Once the storm passed, Teddy and I got up and cooked some scrambled eggs for breakfast. Then we grabbed our rods and hit the lake. Teddy was all in — we used a bobber and red worms, and he ended up catching nine fish: eight bluegill and one yellow perch. Kid was pumped.

After fishing, we went back to camp and played Uno, Pass the Pigs, and a few rounds of Yahtzee. We tossed some more beanbags on the corn hole boards and just soaked in the calm before the next storm hit. Around 1:00 PM, we packed up and headed out before the sky opened up again.

The Classic Dad Moment

Oh — almost forgot. At one point I tried to rinse worm guts off my fingers at the boat ramp and completely wiped out. The ramp was so slippery that I fell straight into the lake. Honestly, the water felt great on a hot day, so no complaints there.

What made it memorable was trying to get back out — I slipped a few more times before finally crawling off the side into the rocks and making my way to shore. Meanwhile, Teddy just stood there grinning and said,“Bruh, you scared my fish away.”

Definitely one of those core memory kind of moments.

Nimisila Reservoir Camping: What This Trip Taught Us

July is way too hot for comfortable tent camping (unless you’re part mosquito)
Bring all the bug gear… then bring some more
Tight tents and summer heat don’t mix — no matter how good the air mattress is
The air mattress was 1000% better than the inflatable sleeping mats
Movie night sounds great… until the bugs say otherwise
Teddy is a champ — ready for anything, full of good energy, and totally into the adventure

Final Thoughts

Even though the trip didn’t go as planned, it ended up being one of those great memories that stick. That’s kind of how it always goes, right? You can plan all you want, but the real joy shows up in the unexpected stuff — slipping into a lake, catching fish with your kid, or just laughing around a smoky fire.

If you’re planning a family trip to Nimisila Reservoir, I’d recommend spring or fall over the middle of summer. But regardless of the season, bring the games, pack extra bug spray, and keep your expectations flexible. The magic’s in the moments you didn’t plan.