The Most Expensive Lakes in Mississippi to Buy a Second Home

Stairway Into Sardis Lake
Jordan Hill Photography/Shutterstock.com

Written by Samantha Stanich

Updated: August 29, 2023

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Aerial view of Hide-A-Way Lake, Mississippi on the 4th of July, 2019.

Mississippi means “big river” in the Ojibwe language. It is no wonder that the state has beautiful waters!

Lakes offer a variety of fun activities and are the perfect destination for a summer home! Mississippi’s summer days may reach temperatures of over 100°F (38°C)! However, they are usually pleasant with low to mid-80°F (25-30°C) temperatures. If you want to enjoy the summer sun in The Magnolia State, consider buying a lake house! A second home on beautiful waters can enhance every part of your life! Additionally, purchasing lake property can be an excellent real estate investment. You can visit your second home or even rent it out to tourists. If you love lake life, some of the most expensive lakes in Mississippi are the perfect destinations to buy a second home!

Mississippi’s beautiful landscape is something to enjoy all year round! Read on to see if one of the state’s beautiful lakes is the one for you!

Oxford, the home of the University of Mississippi, sits a few miles south of Sardis Lake.

1. Sardis Lake

 Sardis Dam and reservoir lake on the Tallahatchie River at John W Kyle State Park in Panola County, Mississippi. With Boats, partly cloudy sky, green grass, and the Sardis Lake Marina.

Anglers from around the country annually trek to fish the beautiful 32,000 acres of Sardis Lake.

Sardis Lake sits in Lafayette County. It is one of the wealthiest counties in Mississippi with a median home listing of $435,500, according to Realtor.com. You can find luxurious homes on the lake’s breathtaking shoreline. The man-made lake formed when they built the Sardis Dam off the Yazhoo River in 1936. The dam was one of the major projects of the Roosevelt administration. Sardis Lake stretches across the northern part of Mississippi with an area of around 98,500 acres.

Oxford, the home of the University of Mississippi, sits a few miles south of the lake. As one of the most expensive places to live in the state, the median house value is $218,716. This is over double the value of the rest of Mississippi.

Sardis Lake is known for its sandy beaches and fishing opportunities. The lake also boasts a state park with a swimming pool, recreation hall, cabins, and a golf course. Anglers flock to the lake for its abundant bass and crappie. Other lake recreation includes hunting, camping, boating, skiing, swimming, and picnicking.

House for Sale: This 38-acre estate is 4,800 square feet with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The custom brick home offers a pool and pool house. Also, if visitors overstay their welcome, they can stay in the 1,500-square-foot guest house! It is bordered on three sides by the government land of Sardis Lake. So, you know that no one can develop and block the beautiful views. Price: $1,245,000.

2. Reunion Lake

Last bit of Sunshine at Davis Lake In Houston Mississippi

The lake offers all the amenities of your favorite resort but within steps of your front door.

The picturesque lake is in the richest county in Mississippi, Madison County where the mean income is $162,374. This is almost three times the state’s average annual salary of $47,161.

The 400 acres of sparkling water anchor a stunning neighborhood to provide beautiful views and countless recreational activities. Residents enjoy skiing, boating, fishing, and swimming in the pristine waters. There are also miles of serene nature trails and wandering pathways. This makes the shoreline the perfect place for a jog or a stroll. The neighborhood also boasts a marina, an equestrian center, community swimming pools, an events pavilion, and a playground. There is even a splash pad to amplify an already vibrant quality of life by the lake.

House for Sale: This waterfront home is over 5,000 square feet. It comes with a boat house and a lift to enjoy the beautiful lake! If you aren’t up to jumping in the lake waters, the house offers a spa pool with a waterfall overflow. To compete with the dazzling views, the home also has a full theater. It is equipped with large leather seats, a projector, a drink cooler, and a microwave to make movie night a night to remember! Price: $1,249,000.

3. Ross R. Barnett Reservoir

Ross R Barnett reservoir

This reservoir is often called “The Rez.”

The Ross Barnett Reservoir is a reservoir of the Pearl River. It sits between Madison and Rankin counties, two of the wealthiest counties in Mississippi. The 33,000-acre lake serves as the state’s largest drinking water resource. However, residents and tourists can still enjoy outdoor recreation on the waters which includes boating, fishing for white and black crappie, water-skiing, and camping.

Since they built the reservoir as a water supply and not flood control, water is not released from the reservoir spillway. This protects homes on reservoir property as well as the multiple campsites on shore. There are five campgrounds, 16 parks, and 22 boat launches. The shores also have handicapped-accessible trails, multi-purpose trails, and a mountain bike trail.

House for Sale: The home sits on a peaceful 9.08 acres with beautiful views. It offers luxury in the form of a walk-through butler’s pantry with a sink and wine refrigerator. The custom-built home beauty boasts soaring 20 ft. ceilings along with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding this space with natural light. Price: $1,050,000

4. Big Bay Lake

Sunset At Midway Marina, Fulton MississippiA marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.

This Mississippi lakefront community features expensive homes with plenty of shorelines.

Big Bay Lake is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned recreational lake at 1,000 acres of pristine water. Also, the 21 miles of majestic winding shoreline give residents and tourists a glamorous lake lifestyle. The lake sits in the middle of a scenic, planned community that is only 25 minutes from downtown Hattiesburg. It is also only 29 minutes from downtown Lumberton.

The private waters are in Lamar County. This is a relatively wealthy county even though the state of Mississippi is the poorest in the United States with a poverty rate of 18.7%. However, Big Bay Lake exhibits the state’s rich history, cultural heritage, and abundance of natural resources.

House for Sale: You can enjoy the stylings of a resort if you make this your second home. The home looks out at over 270 feet of waterfront which includes the 2,506 square-foot main house. You can walk down paved walkways and patios to the private sandy beach. And sit on covered porches to view the serene sunsets. To enjoy the lake, there is a boat house with 200 square feet of living area. There is also a covered boat slip to keep your precious cargo safe and sound! Price: $1,275,000

5. Bayou LaCroix

Yellow cypress tree in a swampy bayou on Caddo Lake.

The natural marsh sits in Bay St. Louis in the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

The Bayou LaCroix sits in Hancock County, the southernmost county in the state. It is named for founding father and notorious Declaration of Independence signer, John Hancock. The waters are perfect for fishing, boating, and kayaking. And city officials continue to make them more accessible to the public. Most recently, a $1.2 million project just completed a 35-foot boat ramp. Other improvements include a renovated parking lot and restrooms.

Homes on the water experience amazing fishing and most all have private docks to launch boats. The bayou is a short boat ride to the Jourdan River. Here visitors can find an 8.5-mile trail through coastal floodplains.

House for Sale This newly built home gives its residents panoramic views of the bayou. With views in every room and nine to 10-foot ceilings, the home is the perfect destination to take in the beautiful surroundings of Mississippi. With a boat house, two floating jet ski docks, and two floating kayak docks, residents can get out on the waters and start living the high life at their second home! Price: $1,300,000

Conclusion

If you love lake life or want to give it a try, Mississippi is an excellent choice for new property. You may even enjoy your second home so much that it becomes your permanent residence! If you’re looking to escape increasingly cold winters or even spend a bit less on recurring expenses, Mississippi is the place for you! The state boasts the nation’s lowest cost of living and miles of sandy beaches. What’s not to love?

Summary of The Most Expensive Lakes in Mississippi to Buy a Second Home

NumberLakeHome For SaleLocation
1Sardis Lake$1,245,000Lafayette County
2Reunion Lake$1,249,000Madison County
3Ross R. Barnett Reservoir$1,050,000Madison and Rankin counties
4Big Bay Lake$1,275,000Lamar County
5Bayou LaCroix$1,300,000Hancock County


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