News Release

National Park Rangers Will Lead Guided Walks of Civil War Trenches

Date: May 19, 2023
Contact: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove NHP, 540-869-3051

Middletown, Va.— Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park will offer ranger-guided walks of Civil War army trenches on Sunday mornings, May 21, June 4, September 17, and October 1. The walks begin at 10 a.m. and last about an hour.

In the days before the Battle of Cedar Creek, the US 19th Corps dug a series of trenches and earthworks to fortify the Federal position just south of Middletown, Virginia. The trenches started from the Valley Pike (US Route 11) and extended about a mile north. A Confederate surprise attack overran the 19th Corps’ trenches in the early morning of October 19, 1864.

A park ranger will lead a walk on woodland trails along Civil War trenches preserved by the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. The walks cover about one half-mile on even ground. Meet at the entrance to the 19th Corps Trails at the 128th New York Monument, on US Route 11, 2.4 miles south of the NPS Visitor Center in Middletown, Virginia. Rangers recommend bringing water, wearing suitable walking shoes, and applying insect repellent before the walk.

The 19th Corps Trails now extend to connect the 128^th New York Monument with Belle Grove Plantation. This spring, Belle Grove Plantation opened a walking trail that connects to existing trails on Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation’s property, for a total of 1.8 miles. Trail hikers may enter either at Belle Grove or the 128th New York Monument.

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is a partnership between the National Park Service and five non-federal organizations. The partnership protects, preserves, and interprets nationally significant properties inside the park’s legislated boundaries. For more about the park, go online to www.nps.gov/cebe.