Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park

What to Know When Visiting the Park: The National Historical Park is a new park without Park Service operated facilities. All the property within the park is private and/or closed to visitors except two non-profit partner sites seasonally open to the public with admission fees.

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park will work in partnership to commemorate a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum plantation by sharing the story of Shenandoah Valley history from early settlement through the Civil War and beyond. Throughout the area there are historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources. It represents the first time a Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been included within a park. In addition, the park is embedded within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, a National Heritage Area.

Created on December 19, 2002, the park encompasses approximately 3,500 acres across 3 counties and includes the key partner sites of Belle Grove Plantation, Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation lands and Visitor Center, Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation lands, and a developing Shenandoah County Park. The partner sites will continue to be owned and operated independently allowing such activities as the annual Battle of Cedar Creek Reenactment to continue within the park.

The park’s enabling legislation stresses the importance of working in partnership as families, businesses and others will continue to live, work, and play within the boundary. The park will work with willing sellers and interested families to care for the remaining historic and natural setting for future generations. Strong community involvement will be critical to plan the new park.