Sports & Outdoor Activities

Something for Everyone

Whether it is taking a stroll along the Catawba River Greenway, fishing on Lake James, or playing disc golf at Cross Mill Park there is something for everyone to enjoy outdoors. The City of Marion offers many park amenities throughout the community including playgrounds, a frisbee golf course, basketball and tennis courts, a splash pad for kids, a skate park, picnic areas, and greenways.

Mount Mitchell

In addition, Marion's close proximity to the region's most valued outdoor treasures makes it an ideal base camp for outdoor enthusiasts. Marion sits at the base of Mt. Mitchell, with an elevation of 6,684 feet it is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and the highest peak in eastern North America.

Linville Gorge

Linville Gorge, considered the Grand Canyon of North Carolina, is the third-largest wilderness area in the state is situated just northeast of Marion on U.S. Highway 221.

Lake James

Lake James, which straddles McDowell County, covers approximately ten square miles and 150 miles of shoreline and is well known to boating enthusiasts for fishing, boating, and water skiing. 

Pisgah National Forest

Hugging Marion's municipal boundaries is the Pisgah National Forest with over 10,000 acres of recreation area for camping, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian riding, fishing, hunting, and more. 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Explore all these areas and more via the Blue Ridge Parkway, the U.S. National Park Service's All-American Road, and National Parkway connecting the Great Smoky National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.