Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
Episode Guest
Adam Prato, Park Ranger
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
Park Stats
Location: Middletown, Virginia
Park established: December 19, 2002
President in office: President George W. Bush
Park size: 3,700 acres
Fun fact:
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Cedar Creek & Belle Grove NHS has a driving tour that is 17.5 miles long and includes 9 stops
- Dedicated to preserving historic spaces, maintaining open spaces, and protecting natural resources in partnership with 5 other key organizations –
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What made you love the parks?
Being a park ranger made me love them.
What is your favorite thing about Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park?
Probably the fall scenery.
What is your favorite thing to do at Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park?
I walk up to the 8th Vermont Monument. It’s a nice short walk, a little bit of a hill, and fairly quiet for being in between two major highways.
What park have you yet to visit but is on your bucket list and why?
Yellowstone.
What are three must-haves you pack for a park visit?
Water, good walking shoes, and a hat.
What is your favorite campfire activity?
Just being quiet.
Tent, camper, or cabin?
Tent
Hiking with or without trekking poles?
I prefer without, but sometimes I need them.
And what is your favorite trail snack?
Anything that doesn’t have a lot of crumbs, like a soft granola bar.
What is the best animal sighting that you’ve had?
That’s a hard one. I always get a kick out of seals and marine animals like dolphins, porpoises, and whales.
What is your favorite sound in the parks?
Natural silence.
What is the greatest gift the parks give to us?
You know, we get out of them what we put into it. Just an opportunity to maybe see something that hasn’t changed in a long time or has been maintained for its beauty and for its specialness, for everyone to enjoy.