How much does camping cost at Lock 1?

Camping fees at Lock 1 range from $40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lock 1 first-come first-served or reservation?

Lock 1 accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lock 1 before I book?

Yes! Lock 1 has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Lock 1?

Lock 1 is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Lock 1?

Lock 1 does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Lock 1?

Pets are not allowed at Lock 1. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Lock 1?

Lock 1 offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Lock 1

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Lock 1

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

3 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Lock 1

$40.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Lock 1 Shelter: $40.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

334-289-3540bwthelp@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Lock 1

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Campground Map

Lock 1

31.5736, -88.0322

Weather at Lock 1

Current alerts(14)

All trash at shelter and surrounding area (including parking lot) should be picked up and placed in garbage cans. If garbage cans become full, excess trash should be placed in bags and stacked next to garbage cans. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAVING THE SHELTER THE WAY YOU FOUND IT.
All vehicles must be parked in designated parking spaces. Vehicles should not be parked off pavement or gravel area without special written permission.
Boisterous, rowdy and/or disorderly actions by individuals are prohibited.
Day users may rent the picnic shelters for a fee of $40. It reserves the shelter for the day. It does not guarantee entry into the park nor special treatment so customers are urged to show up early.

Best Time to Camp at Lock 1

Best season: fall. Fall brings the most comfortable weather and the nicest overall conditions for riverside camping — expect daytime highs in the 60s–75°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s. Humidity and bugs drop, waterfowl and migrating birds become more active along the oxbow, and fishing (bass, catfish) often picks up as fish feed ahead of cooler weather. Weekday crowds are light and weekend use is modest, so you get calm waters for boating and excellent wildlife viewing without summer heat or insect pressure. Peak months: October, November, April, March

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Overview: "Fall delivers the best conditions" with cooler days and fewer bugs.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Lock 1

Lock 1 sits on a historic cutoff of the Tombigbee River, where the natural meandering of the channel created an isolated oxbow with calm waters. The campground offers primitive sites, flush toilets, a boat ramp, and a covered picnic shelter. At just 3 feet elevation, it's a low-lying riverside spot best suited for fishing, boating, and watching waterfowl along the protected shoreline.

The campground includes primitive campsites. No other specific camping types are mentioned.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall brings the most comfortable weather and the nicest overall conditions for riverside camping — expect daytime highs in the 60s–75°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s. Humidity and bugs drop, waterfowl and migrating birds become more active along the oxbow, and fishing (bass, catfish) often picks up as fish feed ahead of cooler weather. Weekday crowds are light and weekend use is modest, so you get calm waters for boating and excellent wildlife viewing without summer heat or insect pressure. Peak months: October, November, April, March

Elevation3 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies an oxbow channel formed when the Tombigbee River's meanders cut off a loop, leaving a calm, protected stretch of water. This isolated channel provides sheltered habitat for wading birds and waterfowl. The low elevation and riverside position mean flat terrain and easy water access. The surrounding banks offer views across the oxbow and into the wetland edges where wildlife gathers.

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Amenities available

Lock 1 Park features a boat ramp, a picnic shelter, block restrooms with flush toilets, primitive campsites and a parking lot. The shelter is noted as having electricity and the site includes the historic remnant of Old Lock 1.

Flush toilets

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Reviews

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Lock 1 has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

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Go if

Fall fishermen and birders get the best of this place: cooler temps, migrating waterfowl moving through the oxbow, and bass feeding ahead of winter with light weekday crowds and calm water off the boat ramp.

Skip if

At 3 feet elevation with no hookups and a strict no-refund policy, this is a tough sell if rain rolls in. Campers have also reported more conflict with other visitors than you'd expect at a quiet riverside spot.

Nearby Campgrounds

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$18.00 - $26.00 / night

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Elm Bluff Campground sits along the Alabama River Lakes in a low-elevation setting operated by Alabama River Lakes. The campground offers potable water and a 14-day stay limit, drawing visitors who appreciate its quiet, uncrowded atmosphere. Fall brings the best conditions for riverside activities and photography, with comfortable temperatures and lower humidity replacing the summer heat.

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Campgrounds

Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes

Lock 1

About Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes

Context for the broader area surrounding Lock 1, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

The Black Warrior & Tombigbee Lakes (BW&T) consist of six lakes (Demopolis, Coffeeville, Warrior, Oliver, Holt and Bankhead) with a combined total length of 457 miles and 39,800 surface acres of water. There are boat launching ramps at nearly all the Corps public recreation areas. There are three privately owned marinas that provide fuel, boat repair, supplies, rentals and meet other boater needs. Boaters from across the State and the country come here for their boating pleasures. Whether water-skiing, sightseeing, sailing, powerboating or jet skiing, these waters are for everyone!

Directions

Bankhead, Holt and Oliver Lakes: From Tuscaloosa, 10 mi E on AL 216 to Peterson Asst. Resource Manager's Office. Warrior, Demopolis and Coffeeville Lakes: From Demopolis, US 80 W 2 mi to Lock & Dam road to the Resource Manager's Office.