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Fort Custer Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,894 Google reviews · Running trail in Augusta, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 40 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fort Custer Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Ex-WWII training area now a vast park with camping on farmlike terrain plus biking & hiking trails.
What runners say about Fort Custer Recreation Area
“Beautiful place, bathrooms were so clean, showers very clean, staff very friendly.”
“Overall, highly recommend this recreational area if you’re looking to morel hunt, or if you’re interested in a nice and easy scenic hike.”
“Great quiet campground with lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing and canoeing from the campground to Morrow.”
Large quiet campground with relatively private sites. They do offer mini cabins and an equestrian camping area. There are several no-wake lakes, Eagle Lake for swimming, as well as the Kalamazoo River. It has an interesting history as a former military installation.
There were tons of mosquitoes as others have said but I only got bitten a couple times, it seems if you keep moving they don't bite too much, it's more frustrating than anything else, being surrounded really.
Excellent place to camp. Bathhouse and bathrooms were brand new last year. Playground and swings for the kids. Campground check- in also sells firewood, drinks, snacks, and Fort Custer stickers. Down the road, but still in the park, are lakes for fishing, one has beach and swimming area.
Great quiet campground with lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing and canoeing from the campground to Morrow. Right in the middle of southern Michigan, it is convenient to drive to without the crowds up north. The biggest secret in the Lower Peninsula.
Trail conditions & character
“There are a couple of "outdoor" bathroom stalls and hiking trails are marked and easy to find!”
“Overall, highly recommend this recreational area if you’re looking to morel hunt, or if you’re interested in a nice and easy scenic hike.”
“Great quiet campground with lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing and canoeing from the campground to Morrow.”
“It's a typical single track for Michigan.”
Plan your run at Fort Custer Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance40 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemichigan.gov
- Phone(269) 731-4200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
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