 © Brad Michaelson
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Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 1076 | | | Water, acres | 700 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 5.6 | | | 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, # | 5 | | | 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 Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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 © Brad Michaelson
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Nearby Parks:
Fort Ancient State Memorial
Caesar Creek Gorge State Natural Area
Stonelick Lake State Park
Oldaker State Wildlife Area
Fallsville State Wildlife Area
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| 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: |
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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
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Beechwood Acres Camping Resort: Resort - Located just a short drive from Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, Beechwood Acres Camping Resort offers family camping, a full calendar of activities, RV, tent and cabin camping, and reasonable... |
| 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 College Football Hall of Fame. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Thousand Trails Resort Serv
1786 State Route 380
Wilmington, OH
(937) 382-4230
| Green Meadows Campgrounds
4880 State Route 350
Clarksville, OH
(937) 289-2284
| Fort Ancient Canoe
5701 State Route 350
Lebanon, OH
(513) 899-2166
| Stonelick Lake State Park
2895 Lake Dr
Pleasant Plain, OH
(513) 625-7544
| Cedar Hill Campground
10186 Thomas Rd
Leesburg, OH
(937) 780-2267
| Church of God Campground
2429 Moore Saur Rd
Morrow, OH
(513) 899-3529
| Morgan's Riverside Campground
Gilmore & Strout Rd
Morrow, OH
(513) 899-2166
| Beechwood Acres Camping
855 Yankee Rd
Wilmington, OH
(937) 289-2202
| Pine Cove Campground
764 Osborn Rd
Wilmington, OH
(937) 382-0806
| Lake Cozy-Dale
10621 Cozaddale Murdock St
Goshen, OH
(513) 722-1692
| Morgan's Riverside Campground
2247 Moore Saur Rd
Morrow, OH
(513) 899-2166
| Cedarbrook Campground
760 Franklin Rd
Lebanon, OH
(513) 932-7717
| Thousand Trails Wilmington
1786 State Route 380
Wilmington, OH
(937) 382-5883
| Maple Grove Camp Ground
2519 Prairie Rd
Wilmington, OH
(937) 382-8685
| Ft Ancient Canoe
2247 Moore Saur Rd
Morrow, OH
(513) 899-2166
| Spring Valley Frontier Cmpgrnd
9580 Collett Rd
Waynesville, OH
(937) 488-1127
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Tackle Town USA
6329 State Route 380
Wilmington, OH
(937) 382-7627
| Spillway Party Supply
7646 Oregonia Rd
Waynesville, OH
(513) 897-9334
| Bait Store
249 Beechwood Rd
Wilmington, OH
(937) 289-2083
| Fishing Pole Bait Shop
5071 State Route 350
Clarksville, OH
(937) 289-8027
| Cherrybend Pheasant Farm
2326 Cherrybend Rd
Wilmington, OH
(937) 584-4269
| Cozy-Dale Campgrnds
10621 Cozaddale Murdock St
Goshen, OH
(513) 722-1692
| Cedar Fishg Lake
6444 Smith Rd
Goshen, OH
(513) 575-0124
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