A person looking through a telescope pointed at the night sky.
A Shenandoah Astronomy Society volunteer talks to visitors in a grassy field under the sunset sky.

Star Party

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

  • Aug 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
  • Free

Gaze at the night sky with the National Park Service and the Shenandoah Astronomical Society (SAS), on land preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. A National Park Service ranger will present a brief talk about night sky preservation. Afterwards there will be opportunities to use the telescopes for night sky viewing.

Telescopes are provided, or you may bring your own. SAS members can teach you how to use it. Bring camp chairs or blankets.

Overcast skies or inclement weather may cancel the program. Call the Visitor Center at 540-490-9569 to confirm on the day of the program.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Meet at Thoburn's Redoubt (stop two on the self-guided battlefield tour) along Bowman's Mill Road. This is a remote area with no bathroom facilities. The property does not have a street address. Go to coordinates 38°59'55.4"N, 78°19'10.7"W or follow these directions: From U.S. Highway 11 just south of Middletown, turn onto Water Plant Road. Go 1 mile to the intersection with Long Meadow Road. Turn right onto Long Meadow Road. Go 0.1 mile. Turn right onto Bowman's Mill Road. Go 1.4 miles. Thoburn's Redoubt is marked by an auto tour sign (stop no. 2). Turn right into the property.

Latitude and Longitude 39.000000, -78.000000

Schedule

Date:

Aug 16, 2025

Time:

8:00 PM

Duration:

2 hours

Program length will be two hours, but attendees can attend or leave as desired. Sunset is at 8:06 pm.

Contact Information

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove NHP
540-490-9569
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Partner Program
  • Talk
Tags: cedar creek and belle grove national historical park, shenandoah astronomical society, night skies, ranger-led, shenandoah valley battlefields foundation