Marion, population 31,320, is just south of three reservoirs, Mississinewa, Salamonie and Huntington. These reservoirs provide recreational opportunities year round. The area around the lakes has a rich Native American history.

A reenactment of the 1812 Battle of Mississinewa is held each October north of Marion. The reenactment includes recreations of 1800s life with military encampments, a Native American village, rivertown, wilderness camps and traditional crafts, music and storytelling.

Forests surround the lakes and the Mississinewa, Salamonie and Wabash river valleys. Fishing is popular on all three of the lakes. Main catches include bass, catfish, crappie, walleye and panfish.

Mississinewa, a 3,210-acre lake, is surrounded by 14,386 acres of public use land. It has four state recreation areas offering boat launches, camping, hiking trails, waterskiing and boating.

Salamonie Lake, a 2,855 acre lake, is surrounded by 11,594 acres of public use land. Five state recreation areas offer camping and horseback riding, cross-country skiing, hiking and snowmobiling trails. The lake is popular for fishing and ice fishing, boating and waterskiing.

J. Edward Roush Lake (Huntington Lake) is an 870-acre lake surrounded by 8,217 acres of public use land. Two recreation areas, Little Turtle and Kil-So-Quah, provide access to the lake for swimming, boating, fishing, ice fishing and waterskiing. Campgrounds and hiking, mountain biking and sled dog trails are along the lakeshore. There are shooting and archery ranges and hunting is allowed around the lake.

Other towns near the lakes include Wabash, Peru and Huntington. Wabash sits in an agricultural area along the Wabash River in between Mississinewa Lake and Salamonie Lake. The city's claim to fame is being the first electrically lighted city in the world. Wabash has a handful of hotels and bed and breakfasts. Peru is just northwest of Mississinewa Lake on the Wabash River. Each July the streets of Peru fill with circus wagons during the Circus City Festival. Peru has a few hotels and bed and breakfasts. Huntington is just north of Huntington Lake. It has several national chain hotels.

Marion is 81 miles northeast of Indianapolis and 55 miles southwest of Fort Wayne. It is accessible via State Highways 9, 15 and 18. Lake access is also available via U.S. Highway 24. There are several national chain hotels in Marion.