Recreational Buyers Keep Missouri Land Market Moving
- Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
A nearly $1.5 million recreational property in northeast Missouri sold in just a few weeks this spring, offering another sign that demand for quality hunting and recreational land remains strong across the state.
The 122.6-acre property in Pike County, near Bowling Green, checked many of the boxes today's recreational buyers are looking for: excellent hunting ground, tillable acreage, and a trail system that makes it easy to get around the property.
This listing stood out for another reason: a fully stocked 9-acre lake.
(Image courtesy: Whitetail Properties Real Estate)
Aaron Bennett of Whitetail Properties said the lake helped separate the property from others on the market.
"Big lakes like the one on this property are really hard to find," he said. "Finding a property with a suitable lake-building site can be difficult, and then there's the expense. It could cost up to $300,000, and then you have to wait for it to fill, stock it with fish, and wait three to four years before you have good fishing. Or you can pay upfront, like this buyer did."
The previous owner had also invested in improvements before listing the property, including preparing a homesite overlooking the lake. Bennett said the buyer came from out of state, reflecting the broad appeal of Missouri's recreational land.
Listed for $1,471,200, or about $12,000 per acre, the farm combined recreational opportunities with income-producing potential through its tillable acreage, making it attractive to a wide range of buyers.
Location continues to drive demand
Bennett said Pike County has long been one of Missouri's most desirable areas for recreational land buyers.
"This is an area known for deer hunting. All of Missouri is, but Pike County is especially well known for it," Bennett said. "Good ground, high deer populations, high turkey populations. And right across the Mississippi River in Illinois is an area famous for whitetail deer hunting worldwide."
The property's location also places it within about 90 minutes of St. Louis, making it an easy weekend destination for buyers looking for a hunting retreat or family getaway without a long drive.
According to Bennett, that combination of quality habitat and convenient access creates steady demand, and once buyers find the right property, they rarely sell.
"Sometimes you'll get an investor who cleans up a property and puts fields back into production," Bennett said. "But in this market, it's often people from the St. Louis area who have spent years saving and waiting for an opportunity to buy a recreational property for hunting, fishing, and spending time with family on the weekends. Once they buy one, they tend to hold on to it."
Recreational market holds its value
Like many land markets, recreational properties experienced a surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic as buyers sought outdoor space and rural retreats.
"It was insane," Bennett said. "If you listed a property and made a couple of calls, it was sold. There were so many people willing to buy that price almost didn't matter."
While that rapid pace has moderated, Bennett said demand remains healthy, particularly in northeast Missouri.
"Since COVID, we've really seen recreational property values accelerate," he said. "The market has settled down some, but demand in this area has been strong for a long time."
The latest Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey supports that trend. Recreational land values increased an estimated 7.7% in 2025 to an average of $5,073 per acre statewide. In northeast Missouri, where Pike County is located, recreational land averaged $5,782 per acre.
The survey also highlights the growing influence of recreational buyers. It found that 25% of Missouri land purchases were made by recreational or lifestyle buyers, while 29% of purchasers said hunting and other recreational uses were the primary purpose for buying land.
For sellers with quality recreational properties, Bennett said the market continues to reward desirable features, especially in established hunting areas.
