Marathon Lake
Marathon Lake is a 50-acre lake located in Smith County. It was named after Marathon Lumber Company which closed in 1929. The lake has been stocked with catfish, bass and crappie and is open to bream fishing.
You will enjoy the beauty and seclusion of the quiet campground at Marathon Lake, located approximately 15 miles southeast of Forest, MS and 25 miles northeast of Raleigh, MS. Marathon Recreation Area is equipped with 34 campsites with water and electric hook-ups, a boat ramp, swimming area, two bath houses with warm showers, picnic shelters, picnic tables and a hiking trail. A dump station is available. The area has a volunteer campground host on site most of the time.
At a Glance
Current Conditions: | Open March 1-December 15. Restrooms open. |
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Operational Hours: | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Reservations: | The picnic pavilions can be reserved for $40 per day. |
Fees: | Day Use: $5 Camping: $20 |
Open Season: | March 1-December 15 |
Best Season: | March-October |
Restrictions: | No alcoholic beverages are allowed. Camping limit of 14 days. |
Water: | Yes |
Restroom: | Flush |
General Information
Directions:From Forest, go south on Hwy. 35 for 8.5 miles to Homewood. Turn east on Morton-Marathon Road and go 9 miles. Turn south on Forest Service Road 520 and go .5 mile to entrance.
Another route is to go south on Hwy. 501. Turn east on Morton-Marathon Rd. and go 3.5 miles. Turn onto Forest Service Road 520 and go .5 mile to entrance.
From Raleigh, go north on Hwy. 35 for 15 miles to Homewood and follow the same directions above from Homewood.
An alternate route is to take Hwy. 18 east to Hwy. 501. Go north 15 miles. Turn east onto Morton-Marathon to Forest Service Road 520.
Activities
Campground Camping
Campground regulations are posted at entrance gate. Volunteer campground host on site most of the time. Campground bathhouse with warm showers. Campsites have water and electric hookups.
No. of Sites | 34 |
No. of Accessible sites | 34 |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Fishing is allowed; state requirements and limits apply.
Day Hiking
1.7-mile hiking trail
Picnicking
Barbeque grills
No. of Sites | 14 |
Reservation Info | None |
No. of Accessible sites | 14 |
Group Picnicking
Birthday parties, wedding anniversaries and reunions can be held at the pavilions.
No. of Sites | 2 |
Reservation Info | $40 per day |
Group Shelter | Yes |
No. of Accessible sites | 2 |
Boating - Motorized
Boat motors are allowed with the restriction of no wake.Launch Ramps | Boat launch |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Swimming
Swimming beach