As Chickasawhay Hideaway marks its first anniversary, local leaders say the resort’s expansion and partnerships with neighboring attractions are helping grow tourism in Greene County.
Since opening in June 2025, the resort has expanded beyond its original attractions by adding a lazy river with a swim-up tiki bar, a boba tea shop and an Italian brick oven.
Owner Davey Busby said Chickasawhay Hideaway opened with an inflatable water park, a drag strip, cabin rentals, RV hookups and an on-site restaurant. The additions are part of a broader effort to create a destination where families and travelers can spend an entire weekend.
The anniversary comes as Mississippi tourism continues to reach new highs. Visit Mississippi reported the state welcomed a record 44.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $11.9 billion in visitor spending and supporting more than 136,000 jobs. Greene County has also benefited from visitor spending, according to the state’s latest county tourism report, although the data predates Chickasawhay Hideaway’s opening and does not yet reflect the resort’s impact.
Busby said part of the resort’s growth has come from offering amenities visitors cannot find elsewhere nearby, including a full-service bar.
While Greene County only permits the sale of beer and light wine under certain conditions, Chickasawhay Hideaway operates under a resort permit that allows it to serve liquor.
“We have a beer and light wine ordinance, but no liquor,” said James Radcliff, Leakesville’s administrative operations coordinator and vice president of Leakesville Main Street. “(Having a full bar at Chickasawhay Hideaway) helps because a lot of people in the community will go elsewhere to enjoy a drink.”
Chickasawhay Hideaway also partners with neighboring Wild Country Off Road, an off-road recreation park that hosts concerts, festivals and competitive motorsports events throughout the year. Busby said the two businesses encourage visitors to spend time at both attractions, with resort guests often attending Wild Country Off Road events while concert and festival attendees frequently relax at Chickasawhay Hideaway during their stay.
According to Radcliff, Wild Country Off Road hosts six to eight major events each year, drawing between 3,000 and 6,000 attendees per event.
“The number of people who show up is phenomenal,” Radcliff said. “The overflow does go over to Chickasawhay Hideaway, so they benefit from every event, as well as the city. It’s not just helping one business. You’re trickling down for everybody.”
Busby said the increased visitor traffic also benefits grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and other local businesses.
“Whenever we fill up, the stores in town, the grocery stores and the gas stations and the local restaurants also see increased business,” Busby said.
Radcliff said the resort has also created recreational opportunities that previously were not available nearby.
“A lot of people have enjoyed the lazy river because it’s something that, within 100 miles, you don’t have anywhere local,” Radcliff said. “A lot of locals go over there and enjoy the lazy river.”
Visitors are already traveling from as far away as California to spend several days in Greene County, Busby said. As Chickasawhay Hideaway enters its second year, he said the goal is to continue expanding attractions that encourage visitors to make Greene County a weekend destination.
Contributor: Sami Jordan
