Cowan State Park, an Ohio State Park near Centerville, Goshen, Hillsboro, Otterbien Home, Wilmington

USA

Ohio

Cowan State Park

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Facilities and Activities:

General Land, acres 1075
Water, acres 700
Day-Use Fishing yes
Hunting yes
Hiking Trail, miles 5.5
Picnicking yes
Picnic Shelters, # 2
Swimming Beach, feet 1000
Mountain Bike Trails, miles 1
Beach Concession yes
Nature Programs yes
Boating Boat Rental yes
Boating Limits 10
Seasonal Dock Rental 440
Launch Ramps, # 4
Fuel For Sale yes
Camping Primative, # 17
Electric Sites, # 237
Pets Permitted yes
Flush Toilets yes
Dumpstation yes
Showers yes
Camp Commissary yes
Campground Beach yes
Winter Sledding yes
Cross-Country Skiing yes
Accommodations Family Cottages, # 27

State Park Location Maps:

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State Park Link:
Cowan State Park

Nearby Parks:
Fort Ancient State Memorial
Caesar Creek Gorge State Natural Area
Stonelick Lake State Park
Oldaker State Wildlife Area
Fallsville State Wildlife Area

State Park Contact Information:
	Cowan State Park 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio 45177 Phone: 937-382-1096 Reservations: 866-644-6727	Area Accommodations Area Places to Eat
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
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State Park Reservations:
	Reservations:

State Park Overview:

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 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. (Collection of fossils requires a permit from the Chief)

A fine stand of beech-maple forest can be found around the lake at Cowan. These woodlands contain beautiful wildflowers including bloodroot, wild ginger, springbeauties and trillium. The woods, fields and lake provide habitat for a variety of animals. Ring-neck pheasant, ducks,geese and herons are found here. 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.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(3 votes) |Post Your Own Review

Our favorite park

Cowan is well maintained. Blacktop for easy biking, beach in the camp area, we love to hike there!

Written by love to camp! 20-Jul-2008

streams are full of gold for panning

found pleanty of gold flakes south of dam and its streams that feed the lake left from thr glashers

Written by kevin clark 8-Mar-2009

Very quite and peaceful!

I go to Cowan Lake a few times a week to just enjoy the outdoors and the peace. There are tons of picnic areas around the lake and lots of places to fish. The facilities are relatively clean and stocked. There is no place for trash so you have to take it with you but the grounds have always been clean and well kept.

(name not given) 13-Jun-2009

Camping:

The campground has 254 campsites. Of that total, 237 campsites have electricity suitable for tents or trailers and 17 sites are non-electric. Four sites are wheelchair accessible. The campground is equipped with a showerhouse, flushtoilets, laundry facilities, dump station, camper's beach and a boat launch ramp. A commissary is equipped with snacks and camping items. Pet camping is offered on designated sites.

Trails:

More than four miles of hiking trails begin near the cottage and camping areas and lead to scenic locations in the park. The Lotus Cove self-guided trail provides a boardwalk view of an American Lotus (water lily) colony while the Emerald Woods Trail meanders through a mature beech forest.

Picnicking:

Picnic areas with tables and grills are located in many tree-shaded areas overlooking the lake. A shelterhouse and dance pavilion are each reservable. Contact the park office for details.

Boating:

Boats with a ten horsepower limit are permitted on Cowan Lake. The South Shore Marina concession offers boat, canoe and motor rental as well as fishing and picnic supplies. Launch ramps, fuel and dock rentals are also available. Sailing is very popular on the lake.

Swimming:

A public beach is located on the south lake shore. A bathhouse, showers and a snack bar are provided.

Fishing and Hunting:

Muskie, crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill are plentiful. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. A valid Ohio hunting and/or fishing license is required.

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, 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.



Area Accommodations
	B&Bs / Inns
	Cedar Hill Bed and Breakfast in the wood - Nestled on ten acres of woods. Walking trails on the property,open hearth fireplace in gathering room,each guest rooms has private bath and entrance. Breakfast is served in the innkeepers log home.

Area Places to Eat

Bakery

Sweet Mornings Donut Shop - Liberty, IN
We offer the following donuts and muffins made fresh daily in our shop: Glazed donuts,Twists,Plain and Chocolate Cake ,Apple Fritters,Honey Buns,Blueberry,Sour Creme,Donut Holes,Bars,Yeast rings,Tiger Tails,Filled Donuts,Berry Blast Muffin,Sin-A-Muffin.
Web Site: http://www.sweetmorningsdonutshop.com/

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