Lock A Campground
Ashland City, Tennessee · on Cumberland River · Cheatham Lock And Dam Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5
- SEASON
- Memorial Day through Labor Day, based on the day-use fee period listed for the swimming beach.
About Lock A Campground
Lock A Campground is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground on the north bank of Cheatham Lake, the Cumberland River impoundment just upstream of Cheatham Lock and Dam near Ashland City, Tennessee. Campers get a swimming hole right on site: the campground has its own designated swimming area, and the adjoining Right Bank Recreation Area maintains an official sand swimming beach on the same lake.
The site sits directly on the shoreline of Cheatham Lake (the Cumberland River pooled behind Cheatham Dam), about 11 miles northwest of Ashland City and roughly 30 minutes from Nashville. Right Bank Recreation Area, immediately adjacent, stretches along about two miles of the lake shoreline and includes a sand beach, boat ramps, and multiple picnic shelters.
Swimming at Lock A Campground
Swimming is at a designated, USACE-maintained sand beach on lake water (Cheatham Lake/Cumberland River impoundment) rather than a flowing creek or river channel. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swimmers are on their own; the area is set up as a family/day-use beach alongside boating, canoeing, and fishing.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Ashland City, take US-12 west about 8 miles, then continue west on Cheatham Dam Road about 4 miles to reach the campground/recreation area at 1798 Cheatham Dam Road.
The hike in
No hike is needed; this is a drive-up USACE campground/day-use beach with parking adjacent to the designated swimming area.
Walk time from car to sand/water was not specified in official sources, but the beach is described as directly on-site at both Lock A Campground and the adjoining Right Bank Recreation Area, implying a short walk of a couple minutes at most.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sand-beach entry on flat lake water is gentle for kids, and there are playgrounds right at the recreation area, but the beach has no lifeguard (swim at your own risk per recreation.gov) and sits on a working reservoir with boat ramps and waterskiing nearby, so adults should watch kids closely for boat traffic and sudden drop-offs.
Parking
Paid, $5 day-use fee per vehicle, charged Memorial Day through Labor Day (per Right Bank Recreation Area recreation.gov listing)
Recreation.gov does not break out a beach-specific parking lot or roadside pull-off; the $5 fee is a general day-use charge for Right Bank Recreation Area rather than a stated parking cost. Free during the off-season per the listing.
Restrooms
Yes
Right Bank Recreation Area lists three public restrooms on-site (exact distance from the beach itself not specified in official listing); Lock A Campground separately has hot showers for campers.
Hours
Both recreation areas operate year-round (USACE describes a lengthy season due to the temperate climate); the $5 day-use fee window is Memorial Day through Labor Day. No specific daily open/close clock hours were published in the sources found.
On the water
Recreation.gov listings for both Lock A Campground and Right Bank Recreation Area name boating, canoeing, and waterskiing as activities on Cheatham Lake, and Right Bank has two boat launching ramps. Kayaks and paddleboards are not explicitly named in the official listings, so they are not confirmed here even though they would very plausibly be usable on the same open reservoir water; no stated no-wake or electric-only restriction was found for this stretch.
Lock A Campground: FAQ
Does Lock A Campground charge a fee?
Right Bank Recreation Area charges a $5 day-use fee per the recreation.gov listing, applied Memorial Day through Labor Day; Lock A Campground camping runs roughly $25-$50 per night depending on site.
Is Lock A Campground kid friendly?
Sand-beach entry on flat lake water is gentle for kids, and there are playgrounds right at the recreation area, but the beach has no lifeguard (swim at your own risk per recreation.gov) and sits on a working reservoir with boat ramps and waterskiing nearby, so adults should watch kids closely for boat traffic and sudden drop-offs.
Do I need to hike to reach Lock A Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lock A Campground?
Recreation.gov does not break out a beach-specific parking lot or roadside pull-off; the $5 fee is a general day-use charge for Right Bank Recreation Area rather than a stated parking cost. Free during the off-season per the listing.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lock A Campground?
Recreation.gov listings for both Lock A Campground and Right Bank Recreation Area name boating, canoeing, and waterskiing as activities on Cheatham Lake, and Right Bank has two boat launching ramps. Kayaks and paddleboards are not explicitly named in the official listings, so they are not confirmed here even though they would very plausibly be usable on the same open reservoir water; no stated no-wake or electric-only restriction was found for this stretch.
When is the best time to visit Lock A Campground?
Memorial Day through Labor Day, based on the day-use fee period listed for the swimming beach.
What are the rules at Lock A Campground?
Swimming area is designated but unguarded (swim at your own risk, no lifeguard). Motorized personal vehicles (golf carts, scooters, ATVs) require operators 16 or older and compliance with federal/state/local law; non-compliant vehicles are prohibited.
What water body is Lock A Campground on?
Lock A Campground is on Cumberland River, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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