Kayaking is great here. The water cool and calm. Picnic area is busy yet not too crowded.

Cynthia L.

Nimbus Flats is a great family day destination. 10.00 day fee There are plenty of parking spots and shade. Swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There is launch access conveniently close to the parking lot. There is plenty of wildlife, and the grounds are very clean. It can get a bit noisy, but it just adds to the energy of the park. Paddleboarding was awesome Pretty calm that day with a light wind (9/9/24) I didn't spend too much time on land because we were there to paddleboard, but everyone looked like they were having a blast m, especially the kids. Also, which I thought was great were available lifevests! I suggest you give it a try.

Kirk B.

Nimbus Flats. A great place to Paddle Board, Kayak, Float, Long Distance swimming and also a place to lose some paitence. What do I mean? Let's just say people don't care about any rules or an ounce or respect for even open parking stalls. So let me provide some insights to the first time visitors during the summer. First off, if you have kids or people can't swim. Invest in a lifevest or use the park provided vests. The up-front cost of lifevests far outweigh the costs of a plot and coffin or coffins. And being on the local newscasts. Socialites, don't care if you are good swimmer. If bikini swimwear fashion and looks outweigh using a lifevest. Stay on shore or at home. Secondly, if you decide to come here on the weekend. Don't party or stay up late on a Friday night. Parking can fill up way before 8AM. So get your gear in your vehicle and get here early in the morning. SUP users, air pump ahead if you have a rack. Table spots are first come, first serve basis. As I sit here typing this up. I can see ALL THE DISAPPOINTED PEOPLE after 9:30am. Trust me when I say disappointed. The "I don't care/negative/gripe/vent" section Fair warning, you will smell recreational weed. So your neighboring party may have someone smoking that ganja weed. It can get dusty by wind and people walking by you kicking up dust. When we arrived at the very end, there this family group who decided to unload all of their kayak gear and other gear in a empty parking stall. Then they also decided to move other gear in the roadway. Thus blocking what would be considered a 2 way road. Even the park ranger was shaking his head at the stupidity of this family. Till they noticed the Park Ranger. Another example of the area we were at, there is a loading/unloading section area. Makes sense right? However, a fitness trainer decided to put up his cones to train his trainees. Thus preventing cars to unload gear or even load gear. But he was getting paid so he was oblivious to his surroundings. Why? People don't care. Another example, there are people who parks in the bike entrance trails to either unload/load gear. Or simply become "smart" thinking "rules" don't apply to them, and all of a sudden they became privileged to park there until a Park Ranger shows up and tickets the vehicles. People don't care. Another example, if you bring your own grill. Don't dump your charcoal, hot, warm or cold on the ground near in front of the parking stalls near dry brushes. As Bobby Singer would say " Stupid IDJIIT". Lastly, Bicyclist DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE. Period. They will zip by you, travel at high speeds on normal walkways (especially by the water side and picnic area) parking lot and stall areas. They travel in packs and all spaced out to ensure maximum ground coverage before hitting the bike trails. The "This place is great" section Honestly, this is probably the best place to learn SUP (paddle board). The water is calm and managing to balance up-right for practice just makes it easier. Picnic tables are your standard tables of concrete and wood. You can bring your own tables if you are having a party or the pre-determine tables are occupied. I would also recommend a pop up or half dome tent for shade. If you are going to bring a beach umbrella. Bring a weighted stand. Trying to dig your pole into this man made dam ground is a P.I.T.A.. This not by experience but what I witness. All neighbors are respectful of one another space and personal property. Leaving your board or kayak at the shoreline is pretty much monitored by the shoreline visitors. So someone stealing will be visible to all. But the shoreline can quickly fill up. Not just by visitors. But visitors that have kayak, SUP, and those big giant floaties that sits kids or alcholics. LOL The bike and walk trails are nice. Just bring your drink. This is a friendly family location. Kids of all ages love the shoreline as the water is crisp and chilled. As of this writing in August 2022. The water has receded uite a bit. The center section of the park as a water step, site-seeing section. In June the water was just at its last step. Now the water has receded away. But its still a great plqce for everyone to enjoy the water. The restrooms are both gender and non-gender designated. Though Men's bathroom will always look like crap cause most can't even aim or are hella drunk and can't see straight LOL.. And if they need to go #2 them fools need to hold it till they get colon cancer cause one the areas I walked in for #1, I walked out as some fella had an internal and external explosion. Seriously guys, are some of you even potty trained or is your mind slipping as you age? Anyhow, this is still a great place! Setup early, get your grill on, party responsibly, walk to the water and paddle your life away, bike, jog, walk the trails. Afterall enjoyment is never perfect until you make the best of it and then its perfect. Happy trails!

Justin T.

What a gem. We got here on Saturday, 6/17/2023, at 3:30pm. Cover: $10 at the entrance. We had an annual pass since we go often to all the state parks. Parking: even though it was Father's Day weekend and it was packed, there was still a lot of parking. Atmosphere: Lots of families that come to paddle board and kayak. There's plenty of beach space where lots of people put up pop up canopies and BBQ. Water: it was still pretty cold but loved it. There are plenty of places to row to if you love to explore. There's a bit of a current but I thing it was due to the wind. I took a nap and ended up floating to the other side. There's also a bridge nearby that you can row under and you can see the I-80 from there. The Aquatic center nearby was closed but it looks like when they are open, they rent out lots of things like paddle boards and sail boats but don't quote me on that. I thoroughly enjoyed all the space we had on the water. It didn't seem crowded at all! I'd suggest coming here over Folsom Lake.

Josiah H.

I have taken part in the various water activities here yet, but I've come up where multiple times for a turn around point. During several solo and group cycling rides around the American River Bike Trail. And with it being Summertime and being nice and warm out, I've come to see countless people enjoying the beautiful weather at Nimbus Flat. You can come out to Nimbus Flat and bring or rent paddle boards and kayak's, or you can play near the shores. There's also people who come out to train in the open waters, like those who are training for the swim portion of Triathlon events like a half or full Iron Man. So me I've come out here to enjoy the view of the lake half way through a standard 30-45 miles bike ride. It's a nice break to enjoy and look at even if not playing around the beach side or in the waters. Nimbus Lake is definitely a place to come out and check if possible.

Brenda B.

One of our favorite places to visit .Nimbus Flat area is a quick escape from suburbia into fun and peaceful nature. Just minutes of the Hazel ave exit , parking is a breeze, but be prepared to pay a fee of 10$. Once you park, you'll find a boat launch area, bathrooms, picnic tables , a lovely trail that runs along the lake, and of course the lake ! During the warmer months , its can get pretty crowded with kayakers and paddle boarders. It's one of the most convenient places to launch into the lake . There is also a bit of shoreline where families can hang out and splash in the waters . Driving a bit further down the parking lot will take you to a few areas where you can fish and picnic, along with the start of a very easy trail where you can hike and see the lake views . The entire area is dog friendly for well behaved dogs. If you visit often, you may also want to invest in the poppy parking pass that good for a year and works at a lot of state parks around CA. We loved our pass and use it frequently. Enjoy !

Michele M.

Beautiful place to explore. They have rentals at the Aquatic Center or you can bring your own water toy. I love this lake as no large boats allowed. Lake is big enough to find your own little spot to play or swim. I have been here at this location twice this month. Exploring the different ponds and hidden spots. Fishing swimming or just exploring lake. Right now there are Lots of blackberries along the shore line. We saw several people picking them so we joined in for a tasty treat later or maybe even make some jam if I can get enough. We will be back again.

Angela C.

Luv the trails for biking ‍ it's my favorite place to go on the weekends . It's very serene and I luv being near the water !