Marathon Lake
Campground · Mississippi · 36 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Bienville National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 36
- Bookable sites
- 24
- Accessible sites
- 423 ft
- Elevation
Overview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Recreation
Marathon Lake provides various recreational oppurtunties. This includes activities such as biking, hiking, boating, picnicking, fishing, camping, swimming, wildlife viewing, and volleyball.
Facilities
- 34 campsites with water and electricity
- 14 picnick tables
- Sand volleyball court (no ball provided)
- BBQ grills
- 2 Pavilions (can be reserved for groups, please call local Forest Service Office at 601-469-3811)
- Boat Launch
- Swimming area with sandy beach
- Hiking Trail (1.7 miles in length)
- Water fountains
- Sanitation facilities with showers and flush toilets
- Dump station for trash
Natural Features
Marathon Lake is a 50-acre lake located in Smith County. It got its' name from Marathon Lumber Company which closed in 1929. You will enjoy the beauty and seclusion of this quiet campground located approximately 15 miles southeast of Forest, MS and 25 miles northeast of Raleigh, MS. Marathon Recreation area is equipped with 34 camping sites (with water and electric hook-ups), boat ramp, swimming area, 2 bath houses (warm showers), picnic shelters, picnic tables and a hiking trail. The lake has been stocked with catfish, bass and crappie and is open to bream fishing. A dump station is available. The area has a volunteer Campground Host on site most of the time.
Contact Info
This location is staffed. Please call (601) 469-3811 to speak with local staff.The facts
- 36 bookable sites
- 37 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 2 sites for day use only
- 24 accessible sites
- Loops: Marathon, Marathon Lake, Scan and Pay
Site types
- 24 Standard Electric
- 10 Standard Nonelectric
- 2 Group Shelter Electric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade, pets allowed.
37 campsites at Marathon Lake
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavilion 2 | Marathon | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | — | |
| Stock Pond Pavilion | Marathon | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | — | |
| 01 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 02 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 03 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 04 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 05 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 06 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 07 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 08 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 09 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 10 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 11 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 12 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 13 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 14 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 15 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 16 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 17 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 18 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 19 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 20 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 21 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 22 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 23 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 24 | Marathon Lake | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | ♿ |
| 25 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 26 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 27 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 28 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 29 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 30 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 31 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 32 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 33 | Marathon Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 34 | Marathon Lake | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| Standard | Scan and Pay | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — |
Getting there
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 ½ mile to entrance.
Another route would be to go south on Hwy 501. Turn east on Morton-Marathon Rd. and go 3 ½ miles. Turn onto FS Rd 520 and go ½ mile to entrance.
From Raleigh, go north on Hwy 35 for 15 miles to Homewood and follow 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 FS Rd 520.
Physical Address: 3451 CR 520 Raleigh, MS 39153
32.19917, -89.35917 · 32°11'57.0"N 89°21'33.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 91°F in Jul, down to 58°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 58 | 62 | 69 | 76 | 83 | 89 | 91 | 91 | 87 | 78 | 67 | 59 |
| Low °F | 34 | 37 | 43 | 50 | 58 | 65 | 68 | 67 | 62 | 51 | 40 | 36 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Marathon Lake
- Can you reserve a site at Marathon Lake?
- Yes, Marathon Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Marathon Lake have?
- 37 sites in total, of which 36 can be booked.
- Are campfires allowed at Marathon Lake?
- Campfires are allowed at Marathon Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Marathon Lake
- Shockaloe Trail Bc 1 16.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Twiltley Branch 38.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Collinsville Shelter (Okatibbee) 38.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Greentree Reservoir 6.2 mi · Facility
- Harrell Prairie 10.5 mi · Facility
- Shongelo Lake 11.4 mi · Facility
- Beaver Lake 16.6 mi · Facility
- Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History 48.4 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone N/A
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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