Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is a preservation area in the Shenandoah Valley covering about 3,700 acres with historical buildings, battlefields, and farm lands. The grounds show traces of Civil War fighting and structures from different time periods scattered across rural landscapes.

The site was the location of the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, a major victory for Northern forces that shifted the course of fighting in the Shenandoah Valley. This battle was a turning point that helped decide the outcome of the Civil War.

Belle Grove Plantation displays Federal-style architecture from the late 1700s with exhibits about the lives of plantation owners and enslaved workers. The preserved rooms show how two vastly different worlds coexisted within the same buildings.

Visitors can explore the area on a 17.5-mile self-guided driving tour with nine marked stops to view battle positions and military earthworks. The route is easy to follow in your own car and allows you to set your own pace.

The site is managed by the National Park Service in partnership with private landowners, with more than half remaining under private ownership. This partnership approach preserves historical ground while allowing farming to continue on the land.