Marathon was first named in 1944 when the Marathon Mills Co. of Wisconsin began construction of their new pulp mill. With the gold find in 1983 and the modernization of the mill, Marathon has grown to the 4,800 resident town it is today. It’s located along the shore of Lake Superior mid-way between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. The town offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
There are multiple hiking trails and canoe routes at either of the nearby parks, including Neys Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park. Neys offers fishing and swimming at one of the finest beaches on the North Shore, and views of a herd of caribou. Pukaskwa National Park offers rugged North Lake Superior wilderness.
MarathonAttractions
Neys Provincial Park
26 kilometres west of Marathon, off Highway 17.
(807) 229-1624 (summer) (807) 887-5010 (winter)
This beautiful park sits on the rugged Coldwell Peninsula, and was immortalized by the Group of Seven painters.
The swimming, hiking, scenic beauty and fishing are excellent. There’s also a herd of caribou in the
park. The park has four campgrounds with 144 campsites, as well as four hiking trails.
Pukaskwa National Park
20 km (12 miles) south off Hwy 17
807) 229-0801
Over 1800 square km of Canadian Shield wilderness. 60 km of hiking trails, mountain biking (on the roads), Great Lakes sailing, white water and flat-water canoe routes and magnificent round-gravel Lake Superior Shoreline. Open early-June to late-Sept;
Superior Slopes
On the North Shore of Lake Superior
807-229-1340
Small community ski hill run by the town of Marathon.