Grenada Lake is the largest body of water in Mississippi with nearly 64,000 acres of water, 148 miles of shoreline, 16 boat ramps, boundless opportunities for camping, and many other great outdoor recreation opportunities. This is the perfect spot for family fun and is a popular destination for visitors year-round. In addition to the many water-base and other outdoor recreational activities, Grenada Lake hosts several fishing tournaments annually as well. It is home to Hugh White State Park and several other public use areas around its shores. The scenery is beautiful and there are lots of things to do and see.

Turkey Creek Water Park features a 250-acre lake located just five miles southwest of Decatur. This is one of the most popular lakes around, attracting skiers, paddlers, fishermen, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. It is known for its conservation program and natural beauty. The shorelines are filled with wildflowers, thick forest, deer, squirrels, ducks, turkeys, and other wildlife. There is also a white sand beach for swimmers, wooded picnic areas, and nature trails.

Arkabutla Lake is a reservoir on the Coldwater River in both Tate and DeSoto counties in north Mississippi. It is a beautiful and popular lake with an annual visitation exceeding 2 million people. To accommodate all of its visitors, there are many recreational opportunities and facilities available. The lake offers a fishing pier, swimming beach, accessible campgrounds, sailing, waterskiing, and paddling. Sailing is very popular because of the dependable winds. For paddlers, this is something of caution but there are small coves to escape the wind. Wind warning lights are visible from most areas on the lake. No alcohol is permitted and lifejacket wearing is strictly required. The scenery and natural beauty is wonderful while paddling Arkabutla Lake.

Okatibbee Lake is an 11,000-acre project maintained by the Corps of Engineers that was developed for flood control and also offers many recreational opportunities. Surrounding the lake there is one campground, four day-use parks with boat ramps, and three designated swimming areas. The scenery is very natural and beautiful and wildlife is abundant and commonly seen from the water and along the shorelines. On the north side of the lake is the Okatibbee Wildlife Management Area that can be partially explored by canoe.

Flint Creek Reservoir is a 600-acre lake located in the Flint Creek Water Park in Wiggins. The lake is stocked with bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Boating, waterskiing, swimming, jet skiing, and paddling are other popular activities on the water. Also available is the parks waterslides. Many other family recreational opportunities are available. The scenery is wonderful and wildlife is abundant with thick, beautiful forest filling the shorelines. Wild turkey, deer, squirrels, ducks, and other waterfowl can often be found along the lakeside.

The Pearl River forms the border between Louisiana and Mississippi and offers some scenic paddling, especially the section that runs through the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. The river widens as it enters Louisiana and splits into multiple channels. This section of river starts at Davis Landing on the most western river channel and follows the river south through swamp and marsh terrain to the take-out at Indian Village. The area is very rugged and full of wildlife, including gators.

Archusa Creek Reservoir is a 450-acre lake located on the east side of Quitman and is the centerpiece for the Archusa Creek Water Park. It has large fishing populations, especially for bass, catfish, perch, and bream. Swimming, boating, and waterskiing are among some of the most popular activities on the lake. Archusa Creek Water Park also offers other outdoor recreational opportunities. On the west side of the reservoir there is some residential development but most of the shoreline scenery is natural and very beautiful with thick forest all around. There are also a few forested islands on the water that are very pretty.

Trace Lake offers 565 acres of freshwater for fishing, paddling, and water sports. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. A fee is charged for use of the boat ramps but carry-in access is free. Water skiing is popular on the lake year-round. Trace Lake offers a quiet, natural retreat located just minutes from the excitement of Tupelo. A thick forest with lush foliage surrounds the lake and provides great scenery.

Bluff Lake is a 1200-acre lake that is located in the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of 48,000 acres of bottomland and upland forest that is occupied by a variety of game species, including quail, deer, and turkey. In addition, many other bird species inhabit the forests and a few notable ones are the wood stork and bald eagle. The Loakfoma and Bluff Lakes are perfect for quietly exploring and observing the gorgeous scenery and timid wildlife.

Elvis Presley Lake is a 322 acre lake located in Tupelo. Here you can find some of the best water-related recreation opportunities around. Some of the amenities include a handicapped access fishing pier, shady shorelines great for bank fishing, a boat ramp, several camping pads, a pavilion, and picnic areas. The scenery is beautiful with thick forest surrounding the lake. The shoreline is irregular with many coves and long, finger-like projections from the lake body which give great opportunities to find a quiet place to enjoy nature.