CAMPGROUND NAME: Marathon
VISIT DATE: 01/29/1997
UPDATE DATE: 8/21/2009
STATE: Mississippi
REGION: Southern
RANGER DISTRICT: Bienville
NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Forest
RESERVATIONS: No
DIRECTIONS:
In Forest, MS, at the intersection of I-20 and State Rt. 35, take
Rt. 35 south 6.7 miles to Marathon Recreation Area sign. Turn
left at sign onto State Rt. 892 East and go 5.8 miles to a stop
sign. Continue straight for 3 miles to a campground sign. Turn
right at sign onto County Rt. 520 and go 0.3 miles to campground
on left.
NOTE: State Rt. 892 becomes Forest Rt. 506 at the Forest
boundary and, between the stop sign and campground, it has a
number of significant dips and "loop-de-loops" - go slow.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 500 ft.
The campground has two loops, A and B, and is located in a pine
wood ecosystem on the former site of the Marathon Lumber Co.
Loop A stretches through the trees and, although these sites have
no view of the Marathon Lake, the water is within easy walking
distance. Loop B stretches along the shoreline and the campsites
have a good view of the Lake. Oak and Loblolly pine provide
ample shade and Fall color but privacy between sites is only
fair. Marathon Lake is shaped like a "J" with the campground
along the longer part of the "J". The day use area with its swim
beach and fishing pond are located on the hook portion. The boat
ramp is in between. A modern bathhouse with wheelchair-friendly
showers is located in the day use area. The latter has a park-
like appearance with several covered pavilions, scattered tables
and lots of trimmed grass.
Note: No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the campground.
Limited groceries are available in Homewood, MS but no gasoline.
SEASONS
Open Seasonal: No
Open All Year: Yes
Seasonal Comment:
Campground may be closed during the winter; check with the ranger
district Office.
RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $20 per day
$13 per day with Senior/Access Pass
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14
CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 34
Total Sites: 34
Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes
No. Tables on Sites: 34
No. Grilles on Sites: 34
Equestrian Camping: No
RV INFORMATION
No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0
No. Water and Electric Only: 34
No. Water Only: 0
No. Electric Only: 0
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: Yes
Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes
Average Parking Apron Size: 13' X 51
Comments:
The parking aprons are paved with those in Loop B being somewhat
longer.
FACILITIES
Vaults: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Hot Showers: Yes
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No
Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0
Comments:
Water may be shut off at times during winter because of freezing
temperatures.
WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): Yes
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No
Comments:
Marathon Lake is 50 acres. Power boats are limited to 10hp.
HIKING
Marathon Lake Loop Hiking Trail (foot) - 1.5 miles
FISHING
Bass, Bream and Crappie
CAMPGROUND NAME: Shockaloe Base Camp I
VISIT DATE: 01/29/1997
UPDATE DATE: 8/21/2009
STATE: Mississippi
REGION: Southern
RANGER DISTRICT: Bienville
NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Forest
RESERVATIONS: No
DIRECTIONS:
From Forest, MS, at the intersection of State Rt. 35 and US Rt.
80, take Rt. 80 west for 5.2 miles to a National Forest Trail
sign (Forest Rt. 513). Turn right onto Rt. 513 (gravel) and go
0.2 miles to campground on right.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 500 ft.
This horse-friendly campground is a single loop in a stand of
Loblolly and mixed hardwoods that provide ample shade and good
privacy. It is a trailhead for the 23-mile Shockaloe Horse
Trail. A variety of low growing shrubs provide a nice understory
but limits areas cleared to picket horses. No hitching rails or
other equestrian facilities are provided except for single
hitching poles at each site. A lantern pole is also provided.
The campground is located in the Bienville Wildlife Management
area. The Shockaloe Horse Trail is listed in the National
Register of Trails. Shockaloe Base Camp II is on the trail (no
water).
SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No
Seasonal Comment:
Open April through October.
RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $7 per day
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14
CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 10
Total Sites: 10
Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes
No. Tables on Sites: 10
No. Grilles on Sites: 5
Equestrian Camping: Yes
RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: No
Average Parking Apron Size: 16' X 40'
Comments:
The parking aprons are dirt and grass.
FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes
Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 2
No. Threaded: 2
WATER SPORTS - No
HIKING
Shockaloe Horse Trail (foot and horse) - 23 miles
FISHING - No
