Can you reserve a site at Lock A?

Yes, Lock A is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Lock A have?

45 sites in total, of which 44 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Lock A?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Lock A?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lock A.

Lock A, Tennessee — 44 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

44 bookable sites
45 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: LOCK A

Site types

37 Standard Electric
7 Tent Only Electric
1 Management

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

45 campsites at Lock A

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
01	LOCK A	Management	Back In	Paved	34 ft	8	🐾
02	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
03	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
04	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	5	🐾
05	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	8	🐾
06	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
07	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
08	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	7	🐾
09	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	28 ft	8	🐾
10	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
11	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
12	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	28 ft	8	🐾
13	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	24 ft	8	🐾
14	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
15	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	32 ft	8	🐾
16	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
17	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
18	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
19	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
20	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	34 ft	8	🐾
21	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	8	🐾
22	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	8	🐾
23	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	24 ft	8	🐾
24	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	26 ft	8	🐾
25	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	8	🐾
26	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
27	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	8	🐾
28	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	8	🐾
29	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
30	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
31	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
32	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
33	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
34	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
35	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
36	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	8	🐾
37	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	22 ft	8	🐾
38	LOCK A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	18 ft	8	🐾
39	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
40	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
41	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
42	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
43	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
44	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾
45	LOCK A	Tent Only Electric	—	Paved	—	8	🐾

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.

36.31583, -87.18694 · 36°18'57.0"N 87°11'13.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 48°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	48	53	61	70	78	86	89	89	83	73	60	51
Low °F	28	30	37	44	55	64	68	66	60	47	37	31
Precip in	3.8	4.5	4.5	4.7	5.6	4.4	4.0	3.3	3.8	3.8	3.9	4.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Lock A

Can you reserve a site at Lock A?: Yes, Lock A is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Lock A have?: 45 sites in total, of which 44 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Lock A?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Lock A?: Yes, pets are allowed at Lock A.
Does Lock A have hookups?: Electric, Water.

Camping near Lock A

Right Bank Recreation Area 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harpeth River Bridge Campground (TN) 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Old Hickory Beach 29.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rockland Recreation Area 29.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Shutes Branch 34.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cook Day Use Area 35.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anderson Road Campground 35.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Avondale 35.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seven Points (TN) 36.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Smith Springs 36.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
The Hermitage Hotel 24.9 mi · Facility
Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection 25 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 615-792-3715
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Lock A