Lock A
The relaxing yet activity-rich Lock A Campground has something to offer everyone from horseshoe pits to volleyball courts and hiking opportunities, plus a plethora of lake activities as well. Keep in mind, staff will hold a campsite until the check-out time (2:00 pm) on the day following the arrival date. If arrival does not occur before check-out time on the day following the arrival date, the reservation will be canceled.
More like this: electric hookups in Tennessee · reservable in Tennessee · big rigs in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Standard with electric | 37 |
| tent only electric | 7 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
44 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 03 | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 04 | Electric | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 5 / 1 |
| 05 | Electric | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 06 | Electric | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 07 | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 08 | Electric | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 7 / 1 |
| 09 | Electric | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 10 | Electric | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
| 11 | Electric | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
Both RV and tent sites have 50 amp electric hookups. Additional amenities include hot showers, a dump station, boat launch, playground, picnic shelter and swimming area. A beach and additional playgrounds are available in the adjacent Cheatham Dam Right Bank Recreation Area.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ashland City, Tennessee, take US 12 and go eight miles west to Cheap Hill. Turn left on Cheatham Dam Road traveling west four miles. Turn left into the campground.
| Nearest town | Ashland City, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36.3158° N, 87.1869° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- However, if you're arrving late, we highly recommend you call the campground to notify the Park Attendant.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Red River Canoe ↗ | 19.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 27.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lock A Campground in Tennessee - Walk Through with Campsite #Numbers
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Lock A is on the north bank of the lake, just upstream from Cheatham Lock and Dam along the Cumberland River in north-central Tennessee.
Recreation
The temperate climate here allows for a lengthy recreation season including boating, swimming, canoeing and fishing. For hikers, the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail is a rails-to-trails project, which runs 6.5 miles long and crosses Sycamore Creek on a historic abandoned railroad trestle.
Nearby
The Pardue Pond and Dyson Ditch Wildlife Refuges are on the other side of Cheatham lake. Both are excellent places for bird watching and exploring.
Guidebooks for Tennessee
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Campgrounds in and Around the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGrueen Huffman, 2010Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lock A?
Sites at Lock A are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lock A?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Lock A have?
45 sites, including 37 standard sites with power and 7 tent only electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lock A?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Lock A have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Lock A?
Additional amenities include hot showers, a dump station, boat launch, playground, picnic shelter and swimming area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lock A?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lock A. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Lock A?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lock A?
The temperate climate here allows for a lengthy recreation season including boating, swimming, canoeing and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lock A?
Ashland City, Tennessee. The Pardue Pond and Dyson Ditch Wildlife Refuges are on the other side of Cheatham lake.
Source: Getting there
What if Lock A is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Harpeth River Bridge Campground (3.2 mi), Anderson Road Campground (35.6 mi), and Seven Points (36.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby



