CAMPGROUND NAME: Marathon
VISIT DATE: 01/29/1997
UPDATE DATE: 1/9/2025
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: Yes
Open All Year: No
Seasonal Comment:
Open March 1 through December 15
RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $20 per day
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: 1/9/2025
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 March 1 through December 15
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
