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Cowan Lake State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,507 Google reviews · Running trail in Wilmington, Ohio · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Cowan Lake State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Camping & cabin rentals are available in this 1,075-acre park that offers hiking, boating & fishing.
What runners say about Cowan Lake State Park
“Water & Recreation The lake itself is consistently clean and, in our experience, stays free of the heavy debris or algae blooms that can plague other spots.”
“Although not a large state park, it is very scenic and has all of the amenities you need.”
“Well marked accept the entrance is confusing.”
“If you're looking for a place to rent a boat or just go somewhere where its just peaceful and quiet, this in the place.”
Sprawling, pristine manicured state park on picturesque, large inland lake. Paved roadways are nice for bike riding. Many trails were noted throughout the park. The weather, unfortunately, was cold and rainy for the middle of May in Ohio, so we didn't get to do muck trail exploration.
The trails can could benefit from some upkeep perhaps widening to discourage spiders from nesting on the paths. Several trees have fallen across the path where some had been taken care of, others have been down long enough for people to have worn detour paths around the trees...
First, the cottages. I have stayed at the cottages here 4 times since 2004 and it is always quiet, clean and pleasant. Campgrounds. I have camped at the campground every year from 2004-2018, always during the fall camp out and trick o treat. We would stay for two weeks (4-5 families) and it was always a blast.
Beautiful area of Ohio. This State Park had it all. Fishing kayaking and a Marine. Nice facilities, showers and restrooms clean. It also has a few play grounds for younger children. The park has a store you can purchase food, burgers pizza and ice cream. It also features daily specials too.
Trail conditions & character
“Although not a large state park, it is very scenic and has all of the amenities you need.”
“If you're looking for a place to rent a boat or just go somewhere where its just peaceful and quiet, this in the place.”
“This is a really good choice for a local camp ground, very clean and the restrooms was as well very clean and usable.”
“Staying under the heavy tree canopy makes you feel like you’re actually out in the woods, not just parked in a field.”
“Mostly dirt with several hills and a couple shallow ravines.”
“Our site was a semiprivate paved site with fire pit and picnic tables.”
Plan your run at Cowan Lake State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteohiodnr.gov
- Phone(937) 382-1096
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Wilmington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cowan Lake Spillway Trail - Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 66 reviews
Biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking and lake-swimming options at a serene park with woodland trails.
Lytle Creek Nature Preserve
3 ★★★☆☆ 1 reviews
J. W. Denver Williams Jr. Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 401 reviews
Recreation area with a playground and splash pad, plus picnic tables, and areas for baseball, tennis, and basketball.