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Palmer, originally known as Tate’s Village, was incorporated in 1925 and renamed in honor of Clarence William Palmer (1850-1919), who owned much of the land upon which the town was established.

The area thrived during the early 20th Century due in part to coal mining operations, which you can learn more about at the Grundy County Miners Museum and Heritage Center in Palmer.

Palmer is just south of the Savage Gulf East trailhead in Savage Gulf State Park, off State Route 399. Savage Falls, the Savage Creek Cascade, several campgrounds, and many overlooks of the 500-acre Werner Old Growth Forest — one of the few areas in the Southeast that were never timbered — can all be accessed from that trailhead.

Palmer
Savage Station Campground
Savage Station Campground

A great spot for back-country camping in Savage Gulf, within walking distance of the Savage Gulf East Trailhead parking area! Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

Grundy County Miner's Museum

Grundy County Miner's Museum

Telling the Story of Mining in Grundy County

Mountain Mobile Massage

Mountain Mobile Massage

Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations

Palmer Market

Palmer Market

Gas station, grocery store & restaurant

Savage Creek 4-Day Overnight Hike

Difficult

Savage Creek 4-Day Overnight Hike

This 4-day hike takes you into the “wildest” part of Savage Gulf State Park — some of the most beautiful wilderness in the region. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.

The Southern Oven

The Southern Oven

Family owned restaurant with fresh burgers, daily specials and good ol' country cooking and sweet tea

Things to do in Palmer

Lodging in Palmer

Palmer
Palmer
Badlands Horse Camp

Gruetli-Laager

Badlands Horse Camp

Bring your own horse and enjoy access to over 22,000 acres of trails. Camping hookups available.

Brown's Dairy Bar

Gruetli-Laager

Brown's Dairy Bar

Ice cream, shakes, plate lunches & burgers

Collins Gulf 2-Day Overnight Hike

Gruetli-Laager

Collins Gulf 2-Day Overnight Hike

This two-day hike features eye-popping springtime wildflowers, amazing waterfalls, disappearing streams and majestic overlooks. There are steep descents/return ascents into/out of Collins Gulf. Otherwise, it's a moderate hike. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Horsepound Falls

Gruetli-Laager

Horsepound Falls

Visit the waterfall said to be named for the place where Confederate forces hid their horses during the Civil War. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum

Gruetli-Laager

Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum

Leaving Switzerland for a Better Life

Suter Falls/Horsepound Falls

Gruetli-Laager

Suter Falls/Horsepound Falls

Here's a challenging 2 mile out-and-back viewing of Suter Falls, Horsepound Falls, rock shelters, and high bluffs. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Explore nearby communities

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