Explore Clinton County while enjoying a stay at Cowan Lake State Park. Trek miles of scenic hiking trails and bikeways, take in a little shopping in nearby Wilmington, and discover some of the area’s native history.
This fall and winter, let a cottage at Cowan Lake be your cold-weather retreat. Be surrounded by nature in the comforts of a warm cottage, which are available at a discounted rate November 1 through April 20.
It’s an adventure fit for friends and family. Cowan Lake’s 27 cottages offer all the comforts of home, including baths with showers, all linens and towels, dishes, cookware and utensils. Additionally, the cottages feature two bedrooms, one with a queen size bed and rollaway cot, and the other with two twin beds; kitchen with refrigerator/freezer, oven with range and microwave; living room with cable TV and a telephone.
Preferred cottages also have a gas log fireplace, TV with VCR, and a deck with a gas grill. They feature a queen bed and rollaway cot in one bedroom, and a full/twin bunk in the other bedroom.
Regular two-bedroom cottage rates are discounted to $80 a night on Friday and Saturday, and $70 a night Sunday through Thursday. Preferred two-bedroom cottage rates are $100 a night on Friday and Saturday, and $90 a night Sunday through Thursday.
Around the Park
Cowan Lake State Park offers five miles of scenic hiking trails that are delightful year-round. A one-mile mountain bike trail loops through the woods. Anglers can take advantage of the quiet 700-acre lake, which is great for saugeye and crappie fishing in the fall. When the snow flies, park visitors can enjoy a sledding hill, and cross-country skiing is permitted in open areas around the park.
The camp commissary may be rented for business functions, retreats or private parties during the winter months. It can accommodate up to 60 people, and features a gas log fireplace, restrooms, and a great view of the lake.
Area Attractions, Cultural and Historic Sights
There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure in the area, including the Little Miami Scenic Bikeway. This 50-mile paved trail, which follows the Little Miami State Scenic River, is great for anyone who enjoys walking, biking or in-line skating. Trail access is available at a number of locations along the way.
For history buffs, Fort Ancient State Memorial, an Ohio Historical Society site devoted to prehistoric Woodland Indians, features a museum 12 miles west of Cowan Lake near the Little Miami River.
The Rombach Place Museum operated by the Clinton County Historical Society in Wilmington features Quaker art and apparel. In addition, Wilmington’s historic Murphy Theater offers a variety of programs through the fall and winter.
Step back in time with a visit to the pioneer village at Caesar Creek State Park in neighboring Warren County. The village features 15 historic buildings depicting life in the early 1800s.
For those seeking history, culture and a good meal, a trip to The Golden Lamb in Lebanon is an excellent choice. This Warren County landmark, established in 1803, is well known for its charming restaurant and delicious pies, in addition to being Ohio’s oldest operating inn. Its colonial history is well preserved, as is the friendliness for which it has been known for more than two centuries.
Shopping
For antique enthusiasts, there’s nearby Waynesville, considered the “Antique Capital of the Midwest.” Great shopping can also be found in and around Wilmington, including the neighboring towns of Blanchester and Sabina, which offer special holiday shopping opportunities in November.
Great rates also are being offered at the following Ohio State Park cottages this fall and winter, including Pike Lake in Pike County, Buck Creek in Clark County, Hocking Hills in Hocking County, Dillon in Muskingum County, Mohican in Richland County, Lake Hope in Vinton County, and Pymatuning in Ashtabula County.
Learn more about other Ohio State Parks and nature preserves in southwest Ohio by visit ohiodnr.com online. Cottage reservations can be made at ohiostateparks.org or by calling 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727).
For more tourism information in Clinton County and southwest Ohio, call 1-800-BUCKEYE, the Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-877-4-A-VISIT, or see www.ohiotourism.com