Events
Augutst 2026
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENSS
-
Click here or here for last-minute announcements regarding scheduled events because of weather or other circumstances.
Click here for a printable Winter 2025 calendar.
- Sunday, August 23
-
Sunday Morning Sunrise Walk
- 7:00 am - 8:30 am
- Join us for a guided 1.5 mile walk along the Lakeview Trail as we watch the sunrise over Cowan Lake. Park near the Camp Office.
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
- Thursday, August 27
-
Fire From the Sun: Reptiles, Rays and Radiant Heat
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Discover the power of the sun in the hands-on park program about solar energy, heat, and survival. Visitors will see how a parabolic mirror can focus sunlight to create intense heat the event start a small fire under safe, supervised conditions. We'll connect this solar science to reptiles and explore how turtles, snakes, and lizards use the sun to warm their bodies, digest food, stay active, and survive in their habitats.
- Meet at the Nature Center
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
- Friday, August 28
-
Full Moon Float - Learn to Navigate with the Moon and Stars
- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Join the Naturalist for a guided peaceful paddle as we watch the sun set and full moon rise over the lake from our canoes and kayaks. Along the way, we'll stay together in a group and talk about how people have used the moon, stars and natural clues to help find their way after dark.
- Participants will learn paddling safety, along with canoeing and kayaking techniques.
- Instruction and equipment provided. Boats are limited. First come, first serve.
- Children must be accompanied and in boat with an adult.
- Required by law - Bring a flashlight or headlamp.
- Dress in layers. Bug spray recommended.
- Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet.
- People with personal boats are welcome to join us.
- Pre-registration is NOT required.
- Weather dependent. Check the park face book page for updates the day of the event.
- Meet near the campground beach.
- Free and open to the public.
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
- Saturday, August 29
-
Raptor Feeding
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Join us at the Nature Center for a special up-close look at our live wildlife ambassadors. During this program, visitors will learn what raptors eat, how they hunt, and what they need to stay healthy in the wild an in human care. We'll discuss why we have the raptors and what you can do if you find an injured one.
- We'll also talk about raptors you may see in the park, including hawks, owls, vultures, falcons, and eagles. Learn how small choices can help protect these amazing birds of prey, such as avoiding rodent poisons and not throwing food alongside the roadways. We'll also discuss the importance of keeping wildlife wild.
- This program is great for families, bird lovers, anyone curious about the powerful predators that soar, perch and hunt throughout the park.
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
Fire From the Sun: Reptiles, Rays and Radiant Heat
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Discover the power of the sun in the hands-on park program about solar energy, heat, and survival. Visitors will see how a parabolic mirror can focus sunlight to create intense heat the event start a small fire under safe, supervised conditions. We'll connect this solar science to reptiles and explore how turtles, snakes, and lizards use the sun to warm their bodies, digest food, stay active, and survive in their habitats.
- Meet at the Nature Center
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
Archery - Robin Hood Style
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Meet us at the Nature Center as we step into the legendary world of Robin Hood, the skilled archer of Sherwood Forest known for courage, adventure, and helping others.
- Participants will learn basic archery safety, proper shooting form, and target practice skills while connecting this timeless outdoor activity to one of the most famous archery stories in history.
- This beginner friendly program is designed for fun, focus, and skill building. Take the Robin Hood Archery Challenge.
- Equipment and instruction provided.
- Fun for the whole family.
- Free and open to the public
- Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw
- Sunday, August 30
-
Spillway Hike
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Join us for a ~5-mile guided hike on Spillway trail. Learn about wildlife and park history on the way.
- Closed-toed shoes, appropriate clothes, and water recommended.
- Meet at the Spillway Parking Lot on the west side of the lake.
- Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp
Explore the Shore
- 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Join us for a guided exploration of the lake's shoreline as we discover the plants, wildlife, and other natural features that make this unique habitat so dynamic.
- Meet at the Campground Beach.
- Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp
Information
BeachGuard Water Reports and Advisories
Beachguard is a service provided by the Ohio Department of Health.
The primary health concerns at a swimming beach are the presence of coliform bacteria (E. coli) and toxins released by certain species of algae, or Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). The Ohio Department fo Health regularly tests the water at public beaches for both fo thse contaiminants regularly and publishes in the internet.
Note: The Report uses an extremely dark shade of green to denote safe water.
Maps
- Cowan Lake State Park
-
Very details list of amenities
Also shows Culberson Woods Nature Preserve - Cowna Lake State Park
-
Dirving directios
Contact information may not be current - Cowan Lake State Park Campground
- General layout and locations of amenities
- Cottage Map
- Cottage Map
- Lakeview Tril
- 0.8 miles
- Beechnut Trail
- 0.5 miles
- Dogwood Trail
- 0.7 miles
- Lotus Cove and Old Field Trails
- 0.8 and 0.6 miles
- Spillway Trail
- 2.5 miles; trailheads at spilllway parking lot and ramp at Lotus Cove
- Highly Experimental Interactive Map
- Use with scepticism.
Contact
Emergency telephone: 911-
- For other assistance and information: #ODNR
-
- Cowan Lake State Park and Campground
-
Office: 1750 Owsorne Road
Wilmington, OH 45177
Park webpage
Campground webpage
Park Office: (937) 382-1096
Naturalist Programming: (740) 816-4405 Reservations: (866) 644-6727 Marina: (937) 289-2656 - Friends Caring for Cowan Lake State Park
-
link to website
- Found an injured animaal?
-
Have you found an animal that might be injured or an
orphan? Follow this link for help from ODNR Division of
Wildlife: Found
an animal or call 1-800-945-3543 (1-800-WILDLIFE)
- Questions and comments about this website:
- mailto:admin@cowanlake.net