Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a 3,033-acre (12 km) State Recreation Area located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan. The area includes lakes, the Kalamazoo River, more than 25 miles of multi-use trails, second-growth oak barrens, and dry-mesic southern (oak-hickory) forests.
History
The land was purchased by the Federal Government in 1917 and used as a place for training soldiers in the US Army. Even though there was military activity on and around the land, no fort was ever built there. During World War II, the area was called Camp Custer. In 1971, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) took ownership of the land as part of the Nixon administration's Legacy of Parks program. Today, the Fort Custer Training Center of the Michigan National Guard is located near the recreation area.
In 1974, several ditches were changed into streams by the H. W. Kacey Company. The longest of these streams, now a natural waterway, was named "Kacey's Creek," but this name is no longer shown on maps.
The trails were created starting in 1993 and were used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding until November 2011, when they were separated. After that, more than 15 miles of trails for horseback riding were added, along with a new parking area.
Facilities and activities
Fort Custer is a popular place for activities like hunting, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and dog mushing. The park has trails built for mountain biking and hiking, as well as a separate trail system for horseback riding. These trails go around each of the lakes: Eagle, Whitford, Lawler, and Jackson. The trails also connect to a camping area near Jackson Hole. In October 2008, a disc golf course was completed in the Eagle Lake area (it is no longer there). Fort Custer Recreation Area has a campground with 219 campsites. There is a camp office and a small store where visitors can buy firewood, ice, and other items. Two of the campsites have mini cabins. The campsites vary in size, with some large enough for a tent, picnic table, and fire ring, and others able to fit a 50-foot RV.
The mountain bike trails at Fort Custer are divided into two levels of difficulty: blue trails are easy, and green and red trails are more difficult.
In the winter, cross-country skiing is available. Mini cabins and rustic cabins can be rented, with one rustic cabin located along the Kalamazoo River.
There are three lakes that are easy to reach: Eagle Lake, Jackson Lake, and Whitford-Lawler Lake. The Kalamazoo River runs along the western side of the park. Several types of panfish live in the area, including bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Sport fish like largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are also found. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are plentiful in Eagle Lake and the Kalamazoo River. During winter, ice fishers can often be seen on all three lakes.
Wildlife
Fort Custer has a large area of land and many restoration projects. This helps support many types of plants and animals. The many water sources at Fort Custer provide a safe place for many types of waterfowl. The land also serves as a safe place for other species, including those that are threatened, near threatened, or of least concern.
There are several invasive species in the area. Due to problems with the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), visitors cannot bring firewood into or out of the park. Visitors are not allowed to bring fish from other waters because of increasing problems with common carp (Cyprinus carpio). These carp often come from the Kalamazoo River, which borders the park on the west. Other invasive species include garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). These are being managed using controlled fires.
Getting there
Fort Custer State Recreation Area is found north of Interstate 94 between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, near exits 85 or 92. The park is east of Augusta along M-96.