Perry County, Tennessee
With approximately 80% of the county being wooded area, Perry County, TN, is an incredible stop on the RiverLine for those looking for some seclusion among breathtaking wildlife. Nestled in the county as well is historic and charming Linden, which offers everything travelers need for respite from wild adventures.
Visit Perry County!
Outdoor Recreation
Recreationists love Perry County’s vast waterways, state parks, and wilderness preserves for its abundant populations of fish and game animals. It has been an attractive area for so long, in fact, that whitetail deer and wild turkeys in Perry County were nearly hunted to extinction before very successful repopulation efforts in the 1950s brought them back from the brink.
Perry County is now a great place for patient wildlife spotters thanks to its astonishing biodiversity. Hard-to-find animals including grey bats and bobcats (which are not as rare as they are elusive) can be spotted around the area thanks to its broad expanses of untouched wilderness. Users of iNaturalist/iSpy652 are sure to have plenty to upload after a day’s worth of recording observations around Perry County.
Fishing spots are quite easy to find around the county, and visitors are likely to nab a secluded opening wherever they please given its expanse across the Tennessee and Buffalo Rivers. The Buffalo River is more limited and may have health restrictions in place so be sure to check the conditions before you harvest any fish. Locals also recommend Lick and Cedar Creeks for anglers.
Bass, bream, crappie, stripe, and catfish can all be found at Mousetail Landing State Park on the banks of the Tennessee. The park is also popular for hiking and camping, offering a three-mile day hike, as well as an eight-mile overnight hike which has primitive campsites along the way for a true wilderness experience.
The overnight trail has two screened shelters as well, which include plywood bunks for up to eight people. There are picnic tables and grills throughout the park for visitors to enjoy, as well as a large gazebo which can fit up to 100 people for events. Hiking groups with history buffs among them may want to take the 15 minute drive to a nearby iron furnace along cedar creek that dates back to before the Civil War. It is the only “double stack” furnace left in west Tennessee.
Lady’s Bluff Small Wild Area and Trail is another popular spot for ecotourism in Perry County, and it features rare old-growth cedars on TVA-managed land. With truly spectacular views of the Tennessee River among the roots of ancient hardwoods and sandstone outcroppings, this is also a great place to spot birds on and above the water.
The trail is about 2.6 miles. There are areas nearby where hunting is permitted as long as users follow TVA guidelines.
Heading into Town
Linden is Perry County’s largest municipality, yet it’s still quaint enough to not be overwhelming no matter where visitors are coming from.
Guests will surely feel welcome at local hometown restaurants including Video Corner Cafe (which features a salad bar during select times), Mongo’s Parlor, Kellie Ann’s BBQ, and Nana’s Kitchen. D&H Dairy Bar offers classic American fare, and also specializes in ice cream to help everyone cool down on hot summer days.
Dimples’ focuses on meals utilizing local ingredients, including farm fresh beef and chicken. It also makes “Dimplecino” flavored coffee drinks and a variety of herbal remedies, so it’s an easy place to kill time browsing and enjoy an organic meal!
If you don’t want to stray too far from the water, check out Tom’s Creek Cafe and Eddie’s River Market, which are both sure to satisfy before or after a long day of fishing or paddling. Mi Pueblito and Village Pizza also offer some extra variety in Linden.
The historic Commodore Hotel and Cafe is perhaps Linden’s biggest attraction, as it features musical performances each weekend and regularly hosts local events and large gatherings. Thanks to its proximity to Nashville, national touring acts sometimes stop by to give locals a once-in-a-lifetime intimate show.
The Commodore is a very popular location for Perry County residents, and its welcoming atmosphere and extensive menu of drink options bolster the long list of reasons visitors should check it out when staying in town.
Linden’s historic downtown is charming and enjoyable for all visitors, and if you’re lucky enough to be in town during the Blooming Arts Festival, you’re in for a real treat. This popular event celebrates local art and springtime flowers alike, making it a can’t-miss event in late March each year.
Great places nearby for peace and quiet also include Country Sunshine Cabins & Collectables, which features cabins for cozy lodging, event spaces, and fun country-style shopping. Not only is its 34.5-acre farmstead property inviting, but it’s a great place to pick up some rustic antiques before you head to the river or aforementioned parks that are all nearby.
Perry County, TN, offers a wonderful escape for travelers who want to test their mettle in the wilderness, hunt, fish, or simply relax and enjoy some peace and beautiful weather. The extensive waterways and charming town of Linden offer a variety of places to sit back and soak up what makes the Southeastern U.S. and the Tennessee RiverLine special.