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Water
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Established Camping

Lock A

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Lock A, near Ashland City, Tennessee, is a solid choice for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors along the Cumberland River. With spacious, level sites that come with water and electric hookups, it’s a comfortable spot for both RVs and tents.

Visitors often rave about the well-maintained facilities, including clean restrooms and a convenient dump station. Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, with one reviewer noting, “The nicest tent site we have ever camped on,” thanks to its unique location on a peninsula surrounded by water.

For those who enjoy fishing or simply watching the river traffic, the campground offers great views and easy access to the water. The nearby boat ramp makes it easy to launch your boat, and the scenic Bicentennial Trail is perfect for hiking and exploring. Families will find plenty of space for kids to play, with a playground and room to roam.

While some amenities are limited, the friendly vibe and beautiful surroundings make Lock A a favorite among campers. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a longer stay, you’ll find a welcoming spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

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Location

Lock A is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

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.

Address

1798 CHEATHAM DAM ROAD
Ashland city, TN 37015-9805

Coordinates

36.3158333 N
87.1869444 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 6/10/25

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 6/10/25

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2024

“Best Value”

Senior Pass $12/night. Wide, level campsite on the water. Very nice and well kept. Great Starlink access.

Site30
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Lock A by Arthur P., June 20, 2024
  • Review photo of Lock A by Arthur P., June 20, 2024
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2022

Great place to camp for $

While the facilities are limited, we enjoyed being here. We were in site 25 with the river right behind us. 50A power and water, dump on the way out. Concrete pad, level, picnic table, fire ring and a trash can at every site. The road in is small and winding, nighttime driving is difficult. Senior pass got us in for just $12 a night. Boat ramp close by. Would certainly stay here again.

Site25
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2022

Roll’n On The River

The nicest tent site we have ever camped on. Sits on a peninsula with the Cumberland River on one side and a small cove on the other. Great for fishing for those who can catch fish (no luck for me). Campground was well maintained. Bath and shower facilities were clean. We would have given it 5 Stars had it not been for these god awful sounds outside of the tent waking us up at 2:00AM every morning (no fault of the campground). I asked the host Cheryl (great host) what made the sounds and she said it was frogs. I've been camping, fishing and frog gigging for over 50 years, and have never heard any frogs that sound like these. All in all, it was a GREAT campground! In fact, We liked it so much we we booked it again in June and July. We're hoping our new froggie friends that kept waking us up will be gone. If not, we're bringing ear plugs!

SiteSite 45 Tent Only
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lock A by Robert P., June 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Lock A by Robert P., June 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Lock A by Robert P., June 14, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2022

Great site

Stayed one night as we were passing through. Great stop on the river. Sites are huge and generously spaced. Level for bike riding. Will come back!

Site18
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Lock A by Jeremy W., June 13, 2022
Reviewed May. 3, 2022

Great little COE Campground

Lock A campground located near Ashland City,TN on the Cumberland River. It’s located a little bit upriver from the Cheatham lock and dam. We were just a little bit off of the river in site 36. The electricity was 50/30 and the power pole looked new. The site was within a quarter inch of level and was a concrete pad. Each site had its own trash can that were emptied frequently. It’s pretty cool watching the big barges move up and down the river during the day, but at night it’s a little loud. Make sure you have good brakes because the road coming into the campground is a little steep!

Site36
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lock A by Guy M., May 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Lock A by Guy M., May 3, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2021

LOVE Lock A!!

Lock A is one of our most favorite places to camp!!  Clean, level with water and electric hookups.  Lots of places to walk/hike with our dogs; we especially love watching the barges moving along the Cumberland River.  We come back any time we can.

Site24
Month of VisitOctober
  • Watching barge go by
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Lock A by Sue , April 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Lock A by Sue , April 8, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2019

Quiet Peaceful Campground by Cheatam Lake & Dam

We loved our site 32 which was fully shaded all day long which was great in August given the heat and humidity. We hiked the Bicentennial Trail (13.3 miles long from start to finish) which was also shaded and with geocaches. We went with our 2 dogs and 2 kids. The boys loved the playground and the dogs appreciated the cool breeze and shade of our site. We were close to the boat ramp which made access to the water easy. There is a nearby lock and dam with another playground in walking distance. We had a fire ring, a wooden picnic table, a concrete picnic table and chairs as well as a grill. Folks were quiet and friendly. I would highly recommend it and would visit again.

Site32
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lock A by Ines  M., August 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Lock A by Ines  M., August 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Lock A by Ines  M., August 14, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jan. 7, 2019

CCA campground. Spacious, mature trees, and cool waterfront breezes

We frequent this campground because it is close to home. Mostly suitable for RV camping with a few tent sites. All campsites have a fire ring, grill, and a trash can. 1/2 of the sites are direct waterfront, but the other half is close enough to benefit from the cool breezes of the Cumberland River. Fun to watch the river barges go by and fish. One boat ramp directly in the campground. A sandy beach area in the area, but there is no way I would go in that nasty river! The mature trees offer shaded canopy, but high enough your camper will more than likely not get snagged. There are pecans and walnut trees so be sure to wash your canopy when you get home to prevent stains. They do allow dogs, which is not a plus for me. People are allowing their dogs to become a barking nuisance. Large sandy children's playground. Adequate bathhouse. Extra parking for boats and jet skis. Well lit at night. The hosts are there but not overly friendly or intrusive. The county sheriff drives through twice a day. Corp of Engineer area so supposedly no drinking but most people do with no problem. Deer, Blue Herons, and Squirrels are abundant. Book at recreation.gov. Books fast in the fall.

Site18
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2018

Just a campground

Lock A is a very basic campground. There are not many sites so it isn’t crowded. There is a walking trail, swim area, and Cheatham dam is close by. There are a few play grounds on the property. Do not come here if you want to do anything outside of camping.

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2017

Ahhh the landscape.....

Lock A Campground has an awesome backdrop! Long and shallow half the sites are on the water most are shaded. The layout is close and open, you will see a lot of your neighbor.

The showerhouse, pavilion and basketball court are up behind the campground at the base of the hills. There is an unfinished bike trail that connects to the Ashland City Rails to Trails in the same area.

In the day use area there is a playground, pavilion and beach area plus plenty of picnic tables along the 1/2 mile plus area with a farmland and cliff style hills back drop.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lock A by Shelly S., August 6, 2017
  • Review photo of Lock A by Shelly S., August 6, 2017
  • Review photo of Lock A by Shelly S., August 6, 2017
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2016

Wagontrain Lake

Had a wonderful time at this camp site the Lake is lovely, a beautiful place to go camping at

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lock A Campground located at Cheatham Dam?

Lock A Campground is situated near Ashland City, Tennessee, on the Cumberland River. It's positioned slightly upriver from the Cheatham Lock and Dam. The campground offers waterfront sites with many campsites directly on the river, providing excellent views of passing barges. The approach road is small and winding, which can be challenging for nighttime driving, so daytime arrival is recommended.

What do visitors say about Lock A Campground in their reviews?

Campers consistently praise Lock A for its beautiful waterfront setting along the Cumberland River, with many highlighting the peaceful atmosphere and lovely views. The sites are described as spacious, level, and well-maintained with generous spacing between them. Many appreciate the shaded campsites, particularly during hot summer months. Visitors enjoy the walking/hiking opportunities, fishing spots, and watching barges navigate the river. While some note it's a basic campground without sewer hookups or extensive facilities, most value its cleanliness, natural beauty, and family-friendly environment. It's particularly popular with RVers and those seeking a quiet getaway close to nature.

Do I need reservations for Lock A Campground?

While specific reservation requirements aren't detailed, it's advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak camping seasons. Lock A is a smaller campground with limited sites, so securing your spot ahead of time is recommended. The campground offers discounts for Senior Pass holders at $12 per night. Contact the campground directly or check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the facility, for current reservation procedures and availability.

What amenities are available at Lock A Campground?

Lock A Campground offers water and electric hookups (50/30 amp) at campsites, with a dump station available upon exit. Each site includes a concrete pad, picnic table, fire ring, and trash can. The campground features clean shower and bathroom facilities, a pavilion, and a basketball court located behind the main camping area. For recreation, there's a playground for children, a swimming area, and access to hiking trails including the 13.3-mile Bicentennial Trail which has geocaches along the route.