Fort Custer Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Custer State Recreation Area |
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Eagle Lake swimming beach
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 Fort Custer State Recreation Area
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Kalamazoo County, Michigan , USA |
| Nearest city | Augusta, Michigan |
| Area | 3,033 acres (12.27 km2) |
| Established | 1917 |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a huge park in Michigan. It covers about 3,033 acres (12.27 square kilometers). This amazing outdoor space is located between the cities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
The park is full of beautiful lakes and the Kalamazoo River. You can also find over 25 miles of trails here. These trails are perfect for many fun activities. The park is home to special oak forests and open grasslands.
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A Look Back in Time
The land for Fort Custer was first bought by the United States government in 1917. It was used as a training center for the US Army. Even though it was used by the military, there was never a real fort building on the land. During World War II, it was known as Camp Custer.
In 1971, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) took over the land. This happened as part of a special program called "Legacy of Parks." Today, the Fort Custer Training Center, used by the Michigan National Guard, is right next to the recreation area.
The park's trails were first designed in 1993. People used them for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. In 2011, the trails were separated. More than 15 miles of trails were added just for horses. A special parking area was also made for horse riders.
Fun Things to Do
Fort Custer is a very popular place for outdoor adventures. You can go hunting, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding. It's also great for hiking, fishing, and even dog mushing in the winter.
The park has many trails. Some trails are for mountain biking and hiking. Other trails are just for horseback riding. These trails go around the park's lakes: Eagle, Whitford, Lawler, and Jackson. The trails also connect to a camping area near Jackson Hole.
Camping Adventures
Fort Custer Recreation Area has a large campground. There are 219 spots where you can set up camp. You can find a camp office and a small store. They sell things like firewood and ice.
Most spots are big enough for a tent, picnic table, and a fire pit. Some spots are even large enough for big RVs up to 50 feet long. There are also two small cabins you can rent.
Trails for Everyone
The mountain bike trails at Fort Custer have different difficulty levels. Blue trails are easy for beginners. Green and red trails are more challenging for experienced riders.
Fishing Fun
There are three lakes that are easy to get to for fishing: Eagle Lake, Jackson Lake, and Whitford-Lawler Lake. The Kalamazoo River also flows along the western side of the park.
You can catch many types of fish here. These include bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. Sport fish like largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are also popular. You might also find common carp in Eagle Lake and the Kalamazoo River. In winter, many people enjoy ice fishing on all three lakes.
Winter Activities
When winter arrives, Fort Custer is a great place for cross-country skiing. You can also rent mini cabins and rustic cabins. One rustic cabin is right on the Kalamazoo River.
Amazing Wildlife
Fort Custer is a safe home for many different kinds of plants and animals. This is because the park has a lot of land and special projects to help nature. The many water sources make it a perfect spot for different types of waterfowl.
The park helps protect many threatened and near threatened animals and plants in the area.
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Watch Out for Invasive Species!
Some plants and animals in the park are called invasive species. These are species that are not native to the area and can harm the local environment.
For example, visitors are not allowed to bring firewood into or out of the park. This is to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer, an insect that harms ash trees. Also, you cannot bring fish from other waters into the park. This helps control the common carp, which can cause problems.
Other invasive plants like garlic mustard and purple loosestrife are also found here. Park staff use controlled fires to help manage these plants.
How to Get There
Fort Custer State Recreation Area is easy to find. It is located north of Interstate 94. You can take exits 85 or 92 from I-94. The park is just east of Augusta on M-96.
