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Town in Ontario, Canada
Photo: RTBoughner at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Marathon is a town of 3,100 people (2021) on the north shore of Lake Superior in Northern Ontario. It is the largest town on the Trans-Canada Highway between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay.
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Information on the Gold Mines, Port Coldwell, Marathon's history, the pulp mill, logging camps, and the D.C. Everest.
Mid-May to end of Sep. Playground, beach volleyball courts, washrooms. Kayaking, mountain bike trails, a 2-km around the lake through the boreal forest.
A fine sand beach on Lake Superior’s north shore. View a model of a former prisoner-of-war (POW) camp at the Visitor Centre and the remains of POW Camp 100. See Pic Island as it was immortalized on canvas by Lawren Harris of the famous Canadian painting team, the Group of Seven. Sub-Arctic plants and a chance to see an elusive Woodland Caribou. Canoe along the pristine Lake Superior shoreline. Hiking trails take you through the many ecosystems, flora, fauna and geological formations. Neys has almost 150 campsites for car camping, almost half of which are electrical, and one cabin that sleeps four. Spring and summer: +1 807 229-1624; fall and winter +1 807 825-3403.
Biigtgong Nishnaabeg
Ceremonial/sacred songs and dances. Rough camping available. No drugs or alcohol. Please respect powwow etiquette.
Pukaskwa National Park is located south of town. Watch or download a 17-minute documentary about the park.
The namesake beach of this park features multicoloured, fist-sized stone "pebbles" that are repeatedly tossed up onto the shore by the wave action of Lake Superior, polishing them to a smooth finish. If you listen carefully, you can hear the stones gently clattering back into place every time a wave washes out. Worth at least a quick visit if you are in town; photos do not do it justice.
Wear sturdy shoes if you want to explore the beach itself; the stones make walking difficult. The park includes a picnic area and kids playground as well.
Mostly Chinese, but with a few burgers and sandwiches.
Burgers, sandwiches, pasta, fish & chips, pizza.
Pub with pub menu.
Breakfast, lunches, and espresso drinks.
5 rooms in the original guest house built by the local pulp mill company. Breakfast includes vegan and gluten-free choices.
A poorly-maintained, run-down hotel with a bad breakfast that isn't cheap. But it's Marathon -- your choices are limited.
Another poorly-maintained, run-down hotel. Pet-friendly (additional fee.)
Mid-May to end of Sep. 16 campsites with 30/15 amp service and 2 RV sites with 50/30/15 amp service. 9 unserviced sites are suitable for tent camping. All serviced sites have sewer and potable water. Internet access is available by wireless hook-up. Washrooms, showers and coin-operated laundry facilities. Playground, beach volleyball courts. Kayaking, mountain bike trails, a 2-km around the lake through the boreal forest.
It is the largest indoor shopping mall between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. Loblaws, Scotiabank, A&W and Red Apple Stores.
By bus
By plane
Marathon Aerodrome (YSP), just north of the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of the town, supports general aviation but has no regularly scheduled flights.
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Nakina · Regional · YQN
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