|
| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
Fees |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
1076 |
 |
|
Water,
acres |
700 |
|
| Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
5.6 |
|
|
Mountain
Bike Trail, miles |
1 |
|
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
|
Picnic
Shelters, # |
2 |
|
|
Swimming
Beach, feet |
1000 |
|
|
Beach
Concession |
yes |
|
|
Summer
Nature Programs |
yes |
|
|
Miniature
Golf |
yes |
|
| Boating |
Boat
Rental |
yes |
|
|
Boating
Limits |
10
HP |
|
|
Fuel
For Sale |
yes |
|
|
Seasonal
Dock Rental, # |
440 |
|
|
Launch
Ramps, # |
5 |
|
| Winter
Rec |
Sledding |
yes |
|
|
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
| Resort
Facilities |
Family
Cottages, # |
27 |
|
| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
254 |
|
|
Campsites
with Elec., # |
237 |
|
|
Pets
Permitted |
yes |
|
|
Campground
Beach |
yes |
|
|
Showers |
yes |
|
|
Flush
Toilets |
yes |
|
|
Dumpstation |
yes |
|
|
Camp
Commissary |
yes |
|
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, spring beauties 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.
 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.
Cottages
There are 27 family cottages situated in a wooded
setting along the lake. Each cottage is heated and air-conditioned, has
two bedrooms, bath, living area with a sofa bed, complete kitchen, dining
area and screened porch. Linens, towels, cooking and eating utensils are
provided. Two premium cottages have gas fireplaces. The fireplaces are not
in operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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, flush toilets, 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.
 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.
History of the Area
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.
Swimming
A public beach is located on the south lake shore. A bathhouse, showers
and a snack bar are provided.
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.
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.
Winter Meeting Rooms
The camp commissary building can be rented during the off season for
meetings, receptions or business retreats. It features a woodburning
fireplace, restrooms and scenic view of the lake. Tables and chairs are
provided. Contact the park office for details.
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.
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