Cowan Lake State Park

Cowan Lake (SW)

Location
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Activities
Events

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Address/Directions

1750 Osborn Road,
Wilmington, OH 45177

Park Office

937-382-1096

Camp Office

937-383-3751

Marina

937-289-2656

Information

Cowan Lake State Park offers a peaceful setting replete with scenic inlets laden with the American Lotus water lily. Swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing are popular on the lake. Meandering trails through mature woodlands compliment the natural features of this scenic 1,075-acre park.

Nature of the Area

It has been said that Ohio’s history can be found written in the rocks. By studying the bedrock layers in Ohio, we know that ancient seas, marshes or swamps covered all or portions of the state at times over the past 500 million years. Sediment deposited by those ancient waters solidified into rock and eventually uplifted forming dry land. Animals and plants were embedded in the sediment, and today, these fossils reveal the different life forms that existed in Ohio’s past.

Cowan Lake lies near the Cincinnati Arch, an uplifting of bedrock that occurred during the Appalachian Mountains’ building process. The erosion of this arch in the Cowan region exposes fossil-rich limestone. The limestone near Cowan and other parts of the exposed arch are some of the most famous fossil hunting fields in the world.

A fine stand of beech-maple forest can be found around the lake at Cowan. These woodlands contain beautiful wildflowers including bloodroot, wild ginger, spring beauties and trillium. The woods, fields and lake provide habitat for a variety of animals, including ring-neck pheasant, ducks, geese and herons. Songbirds such as eastern bluebirds, catbirds, house wrens and many others inhabit the fields and bushy areas of the park. Mammals include white-tailed deer, raccoon, opossum, woodchuck, skunk and others.

American Lotus, a brilliant water lily, is abundant in the lake’s shallow areas. It is unusual to find such a large colony of lotus on an inland lake. The plant’s leaves grow up to two feet in diameter supporting large yellow flowers.

History of the Area

The Cowan Lake region was once a stronghold of the Miami and Shawnee Indians. After their defeat at the hands of General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Indian threat subsided and settlement began here. In 1797, the first settler in the area, William Smalley, began clearing land for his home along the river which was later dammed to form Cowan Lake. Smalley had been captured by the Indians when he was a small child and was forced to live with them until he was twenty years old. He later fought in General Wayne’s army and was recaptured, but luckily escaped with his life.

Cowan Creek was named for the area’s first surveyor, John Cowan. A dam was completed across Cowan Creek in 1950, and in 1968, Cowan Lake was dedicated as a state park.

Camping

237 electric sites
17 non-electric sites
4 sites are wheelchair accessible
Showerhouse, flush toilets, laundry facilities, dump station, camper’s beach and a boat launch ramp
Commissary is equipped with snacks and camping items
Pet camping is offered on designated sites
Bike rental, volleyball and basketball courts, and miniature golf available to campers
Download the Campground map
Walk-ins are welcome, or call 866-644-6727 for reservations

Cottages

27 cottages
Each cottage is heated and air-conditioned, sleeps 5 with 2 private bedrooms and rollaway beds, and offers a bath with shower, furnished living area, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch
Color TV with roof antenna
2 premium cottages have gas fireplaces and wooden decks with gas cooking grills (fireplaces are not useable May 1- Aug.31)
Pets are allowed in cottages C2, C3 and C4
Smoking is permitted in cottages C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6
Linens, towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided
Daily houskeeping service is NOT available
Download the Cottage Area Map
Reservations can be made up to 1 year in advance. Call 866-644-6727 for reservations

Trails

6 hiking trails
- Beechnut Loop Trail • 1/2 Mile • Easy
- Dogwood Trail • 0.7 Miles • Easy
- Emerald Woods Trail • 1.8 Miles • Easy
- Lotus Cove Trail • 0.7 Miles • Moderate • Offers a boardwalk view of an American Lotus (water lily) colony
- Oldfield Trail • 0.8 Miles • Moderate
- Lakeview Trail • 1.1 Miles • Moderate
Mountain Bike Trail • 1 Mile • Easy-Difficult
Download the Trail Map

Boating

700-acre Cowan Lake has a 10-horsepower limit
South Shore Marina offers boats, canoes, and motors for rent, as well as fishing and picnic supplies for sale
4 Launch ramps, fuel and dock rentals are also available
Sailing is very popular on the lake
Marina and boat ramps are Carry In Carry Out areas. No trash cans are available. Please bring your own trash bags.
Check for water quality advisories
Boating laws and information

Fishing

Muskie, crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill are plentiful
Accessible fishing pier is located near the Pine Tree picnic area
Fishing pier is a Carry In Carry Out area. No trash cans are available. Please bring your own trash bags.
Check out the lake map
Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

6 Picnic areas with tables and grills are located in many tree-shaded areas overlooking the lake
2 shelterhouses and a dance pavilion are reservable online or by calling 866-644-6727
Shelterhouse and the dance pavilion near the beach are Carry In Carry Out areas. No trash cans are available. Please bring your own trash bags.

Swimming

1,000 foot public beach is located on the south lake shore
Bathhouse, showers and a snack bar are available for public use
Swimming is permitted during daylight hours only
Swim at your own risk & be sure to keep an eye on the kids
Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches
Check for water quality advisories
The beach is a Carry In Carry Out area. No trash cans are available. Please bring your own trash bags.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in designated areas during scheduled hunting seasons
Valid Ohio hunting license is required

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

Sledding
Cross country skiing

Area Attractions

Stonelick State Park, located 13 miles southwest of Cowan on State Route 727, and Caesar Creek State Park, situated 18 miles northwest of Cowan on State Route 73, both offer swimming, boating, fishing and camping
Caesar Creek Gorge, a state nature preserve is located adjacent to Caesar Creek State Park
Other attractions include Kings Island Amusement Park; the outdoor drama, Blue Jacket and the U.S. Air Force Museum near Dayton
For more information on area attractions, visit
- Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau website or call 877-428-4748
- Ohio Tourism Division website or call 800-BUCKEYE