About Marion County
Marion County is located in the middle, southern region of Tennessee, just 25 miles west of Chattanooga, one of the largest cities in the state. Marion County is nestled in the Sequatchie Valley, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and home to Nickajack Lake on the Tennessee River. Marion County is located within two hours driving distance to Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama.
Parks & Recreation
Marion County offers many accessible outdoor recreation areas that are perfect for hiking, water sports, rock-climbing and organized sports.
Parks and recreation facilities can be found throughout the county and offer year-round facilities with ball fields, walking tracks, hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Residents of all ages can stay active all year long with their favorite sports and activities.
Foster Falls
Hiking, campground, climbing or scenic nature walk, Foster Falls Small Wild Area has it all. Operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority and located near Jasper, Tennessee, visitors get close and personal with some of the most exceptional natural and scenic resources in the region. A spectacular 60-foot waterfall is the highlight of the park. Visit their website for more information.
Marion County Park
Located on Nickajack Lake in Jasper, Marion County Park is the perfect place for fishing, boating, camping or to enjoy a picnic lunch. The park hosts 60 RV camping spots with electric and water hook-ups, tent camping sites, fishing pier, two boat ramps, bath houses, pavilion and children’s area.
Education
Marion County offers excellent public education with four elementary schools, two middle schools, three high schools and one public community school, Richard Hardy Memorial School for students K-12.
Primary & Secondary
Marion County Schools – Visit website
Richard Hardy Memorial School – Visit Website
Sequatchie Valley Head Start – Visit Website
Chattanooga State Technical Community College
Chattanooga State Technical Community College offers a variety of degree programs impacting business, industrial & professional communities of Southeast Tennessee. From its opening in downtown Chattanooga in September 1965, Chattanooga State has been focused on supplying the technical workforce of the region, particularly in engineering technology and computer science.
With its main campus located on the banks on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Chattanooga State has three other satellite locations, including a new campus in Marion County, conveniently located near Interstate 24 in Kimball.
Chattanooga State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to Award the Associate Degree. The College offers a variety of accredited programs, including engineering, nursing and business. Chattanooga State now boasts the largest postsecondary enrollment in the Tri-State area and the largest training function in East Tennessee.
Additional, highly regarded higher education schools, colleges and universities, including the University of Tennessee are available within a short drive of Marion County.
Healthcare
Parkridge West Hospital is located in Jasper, just off Interstate 24. Parkridge West serves the community with 24/7 emergency care, outpatient radiology, outpatient laboratory and inpatient behavioral health care.
There are several family and general medical practices in the county accepting new patients. Local specialists include cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, internal medicine, optometry, podiatry, pulmonology, and dentistry. For more advanced care, nearby Chattanooga provides comprehensive care and several major hospitals.