Lock A
Cheatham Lake
Lock A- Volleyball Court
Lock A- Playground
LOCK A

Featured amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground

Available sites

44 total sites

About 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. However, if you're arrving late, we highly recommend you call the campground to notify the Park Attendant. If arrival does not occur before check-out time on the day following the arrival date, the reservation will be canceled. 

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Oct 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

44 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 02, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 03, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 04, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 05, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 06, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 07, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 08, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 09, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 10, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 11, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 12, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 13, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 14, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 15, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 16, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 17, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 18, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 19, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 20, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 21, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 22, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 23, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 24, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 25, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 26, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 27, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 28, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 29, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 30, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 31, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 32, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 33, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 34, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 35, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 36, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 37, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 38, Loop: LOCK A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
⛺ 39, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 40, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 41, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 42, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 43, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 44, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 45, Loop: LOCK A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade

Reviews (511)

What Guests Are Saying

Lock A campground is well-maintained and offers beautiful river views, spacious sites, and friendly hosts, making it an enjoyable place for camping. Visitors appreciated the cleanliness of the facilities, good connectivity, and access to water activities like kayaking. While the narrow and steep road to the campground and some dated bathroom facilities were mentioned as drawbacks, overall experiences were positive, with many guests eager to return.

Review Summary

4.7
511 reviews
5
77.7%
397
4
16.8%
86
3
2.9%
15
2
2.2%
11
1
0.4%
2

Danny A

Verified

November 25, 2019 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: LOCK A

5

Great campground, sites are level concrete slabs. River is close by with great views. The only drawback is getting to the campsite, crooked roads and a big hill just before you get there. But would recommend going it's worth the trip.

Margaret J

Verified

January 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: LOCK A

5

We loved camping at Cheatham. They have clean restrooms and hot showers.

Michele H

Verified

January 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: LOCK A

5

Hosts were outstanding helpful and very friendly. Bathrooms and showers were kept clean and in working order. Cant wait to get back there!

Mike B

Verified

January 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: LOCK A

5

Clean and open camp grounds. Felt safe for the young kids to run and ride their bikes, great view of the river and a helpful staff. Planning to stay here many more times!

Ed M

Verified

January 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: LOCK A

5

Loved our time there. Can't wait for the new season to spend lots more time there.

Diane S

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: LOCK A

5

Beautiful place

Alfred C

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: LOCK A

4

Nice place when you want to get away from it all. Bring yard games with you (horse shoes, bat mitten ect...) fishing, swimming and water sports are the only things to do. So don’t count on eating out or seeing a movie. Good place to reconnect with the family and friends.

Senae S

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: LOCK A

5

We stayed on the river. It was beautiful waking up with the foggy waterfront view. The playground was close enough that we could let the kids play and keep an eye on them from our site, and there’s a good paved loop for bike riding. The bathhouse was clean and in good condition.

Paul and Myrna M

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: LOCK A

4

We love it - and camp there often! Actually, this is our favorite place to camp for a variety of reasons. This suits our situation, since it's affordable and close enough to home for quick get aways. The grounds are well cared for, and the generous campsites are level and (mostly) paved. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially Dina Henninger (Ranger) and the volunteer camp hosts. The facilities are adequate - however - they have not been as well-maintained lately. In particular, the bathrooms need more attention, especially when the campground is busy. They have also needed maintenance (clogged toilets, etc.), sometimes for days on end! That's why this wasn't a 5-star rating... Bring back quality and timely maintenance, and this is the best!

Dorothy W

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: LOCK A

5

Lock A campground is beautiful. Clean restrooms, campsite are spacious, Great bicycle or walking trail along river, Picnic areas all along the Cumberland River, Can watch the cargo barges on the river. You'll see deer, osprey and squirrel. Peaceful campground, great playground for children and safe place for kids to ride their bicycles. We've probably stayed there 16 times in the last 4 years. Best of all great place to take photos. When you go down from the campground to the dam/locks beautiful drive along the Cumberland River. When you get past the locks, check the metal electric wire frame on your right. The osprey build a nest there every year. Wonderful experience.

Location & Directions for Lock a

1798 Cheatham Dam Road, Ashland City, TN 37015-9805 United States

Elevation: 130 ft

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, TN - 11 mi

About 18 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via US Highway 12, located approximately eight miles east of the campground.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check out time

2PM

General

  • Please be aware that falling branches are a natural hazard at this campground
  • Motorized, including electric vehicles: Golf carts, Scooters & ATV’s are permitted on roadways in Corps operated recreation areas. However, these type of vehicles shall be operated in accordance with applicable Federal, state and local laws, which shall be regulated by authorized enforcement officials. Must be 16 years or older to drive motorized vehicle. Prohibited items include: battery operated scooters/cars, hover-boards, non compliant golf carts and ATV's. 
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
  • However, if you're arrving late, we highly recommend you call the campground to notify the Park Attendant. If arrival does not occur before check-out time on the day following the arrival date, the reservation will be canceled.
  • Two tents or one tent and one RV are permitted per campsite.
  • Lock A campground has reservable sites only. No walk-up sites.

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Ashland City, TN

Population: 5,424

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Clarksville, TN

Approx. 17 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 427 ft

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Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers