About Fort Custer Recreation Area
Fort Custer Recreation Area, on the site of a former World War II-era Army training post near Augusta, has become one of the premier mountain biking destinations in Michigan. Its 3,000 acres hold more than 20 miles of purpose-built singletrack trail, drawing riders from across the state alongside campers, anglers, and hikers who come for Eagle Lake and Frenchman's Lake.
The modern campground offers 219 electric sites in a wooded, rolling landscape typical of southwest Michigan's kettle-and-moraine terrain. Fort Custer also has a small 7-site equestrian campground, two rustic group-use campgrounds (Whitford Lake and Kalamazoo River, each up to 60 people), and two rustic cabins. It's a popular weekend base for mountain bikers looking to ride multiple trail systems without driving home each night.
| Campground | Sites | Hookups | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Custer Campground | 219 sites | Electric | Mountain biking, families, fishing |
| Fort Custer Equestrian Campground | 7 sites | Electric (30/50-amp on sites 5–7) | Horse camping |
| Whitford Lake Group-Use Campground | 1 site (up to 60) | None (rustic) | Group camping |
| Kalamazoo River Group-Use Campground | 1 site (up to 60) | None (rustic) | Group camping |
Campground Map
Mountain Biking & Two Lakes
The park's signature feature is its singletrack trail network — more than 20 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through rolling, wooded terrain, widely regarded as one of the better riding destinations in the Lower Peninsula. Eagle Lake and Frenchman's Lake add swimming, fishing, and paddling to the mix for non-riders.
How to Get a Reservation
The 6-Month Booking Window
Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Fort Custer Recreation Area opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.
Set a CampDrop Alert
If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Fort Custer.
What to Know Before You Go
Hookups & Site Types
All 219 sites at the main Fort Custer Campground offer electric service. The equestrian campground also has electric service (30/50-amp on sites 5–7); the two group-use campgrounds are rustic with no hookups.
Season
The park typically operates April through November; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.
Pets
Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.
Trail Access
Trailheads are accessible directly from the recreation area, so you can ride straight from your campsite without loading bikes into a vehicle.
Directions
Fort Custer Recreation Area is located at 5163 Fort Custer Dr, Augusta, MI 49012, in Kalamazoo County, between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo just off M-96.