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.

Current Conditions

Open March 1-December 15.

General Information

March 1-December 15

6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Camping limit of 14 days.

Passes Honored - Access, Senior, and MS Adventure
Passes can only be purchased at National Forests in Mississippi Ranger District Offices.

Overnight Use:
Single Site: $20 per night

Day Use: $5
Camping: $20

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 32.19916667

Longitude: -89.35916667

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.