Fort Custer Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
Fort Custer Recreation Area is a 3033 acres (12 km²) state park
located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan
. The area features lakes, the Kalamazoo River
, over 25 miles of multi-use trails, second growth oak barrens and dry-mesic southern (oak-hickory) forests.
and Environment (DNRE) acquired the land in 1971 as part of the Nixon administration's Legacy of Parks
program. Today, the Fort Custer Reserve Forces Training Site of the United States National Guard
borders the recreation area.
The multi-use trails were designed in 1996 and are used for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
, mountain biking
, camping
, horseback riding, hiking
, fishing
, and dog mushing
. The park has a developed a set of trails covering the majority of the area, designed for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking alike. They surround each of the lakes: Eagle, Whitford, Lawler and Jackson. The trails also connect to a camping area adjacent to Jackson Hole. In October of 2008, a disc golf
course in the Eagle Lake area was completed. Fort Custer Recreation Area has a beautiful campground with 219 lots. Two of those lots are mini cabins. The lots vary in size, some big enough for a tent, picnic table and fire ring, while some lots can accommodate up to a 50-foot RV.
The Fort Custer multi-use trails are divided into three levels of varied difficulty: blue or yellow being easy, green being intermediate, and red being difficult.
There is cross-country skiing
in the winter. Mini cabins and rustic cabins are available for rent, one rustic cabin fronting the Kalamazoo River
.
Fishing
There are three easily accessible lakes: Eagle Lake, Jackson Lake and Whitford-Lawler Lake. The Kalamazoo River
also runs through much of the park's border. Several types of panfish found within the area including bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). There are a few species that are sought after as sport fish such as the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). There are also abundant common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Eagle Lake and the Kalamazoo River
. During the winter ice fishers can often be seen on Jackson Lake.
, near threatened
and least-concern species
of the area.
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Plants
), visitors are not allowed to move fire wood in or out of the park. Visitors are also prohibited to bring in any fish from other waters due to the growing common carp (Cyprinus carpio) problems; often these carp come from the Kalamazoo River
which runs through the northern and western borders of the park. Other known invasive species include garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); these species are being dealt with by using controlled fires.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The area features lakes, the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
, over 25 miles of multi-use trails, second growth oak barrens and dry-mesic southern (oak-hickory) forests.
History
The land was acquired in 1917 by the Federal Government and used as an induction and military training center for the US Army. Despite the history of military use that has taken place on and around the property, there was never a fort on the land. During World War II, the property was named Camp Custer. The Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesMichigan Department of Natural Resources
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
and Environment (DNRE) acquired the land in 1971 as part of the Nixon administration's Legacy of Parks
Legacy of parks
This 1970s New Federalism style program promoted by the Nixon administration turned federal land over to the states for historical, cultural and recreational purposes.In 1972, the U.S...
program. Today, the Fort Custer Reserve Forces Training Site of the United States National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
borders the recreation area.
The multi-use trails were designed in 1996 and are used for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Facilities and Activities
Fort Custer is a popular destination for huntingHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, horseback riding, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and dog mushing
Mushing
Mushing is a general term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land...
. The park has a developed a set of trails covering the majority of the area, designed for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking alike. They surround each of the lakes: Eagle, Whitford, Lawler and Jackson. The trails also connect to a camping area adjacent to Jackson Hole. In October of 2008, a disc golf
Disc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
course in the Eagle Lake area was completed. Fort Custer Recreation Area has a beautiful campground with 219 lots. Two of those lots are mini cabins. The lots vary in size, some big enough for a tent, picnic table and fire ring, while some lots can accommodate up to a 50-foot RV.
There is cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
in the winter. Mini cabins and rustic cabins are available for rent, one rustic cabin fronting the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
.
Fishing
There are three easily accessible lakes: Eagle Lake, Jackson Lake and Whitford-Lawler Lake. The Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
also runs through much of the park's border. Several types of panfish found within the area including bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). There are a few species that are sought after as sport fish such as the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). There are also abundant common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Eagle Lake and the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
. During the winter ice fishers can often be seen on Jackson Lake.
Wildlife
Because of the large amount of land and restoration projects in place at Fort Custer, there are countless species of plants and animals. Abundant water sources make Fort Custer a safe haven for many types waterfowl. Not only has the land become a safe haven for the waterfowl but a safe haven for other threatenedThreatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
, near threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
and least-concern species
Least Concern
Least Concern is an IUCN category assigned to extant taxon or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, Near Threatened, or Conservation Dependent...
of the area.
Birds
- American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosusAmerican BitternThe American Bittern is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. New evidence has led the American Ornithologists' Union to move the heron family into the order Pelecaniformes .-Description:...
- Trumpeter swan. Cygnus buccinatorTrumpeter SwanThe Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator, is the largest native North American bird, if measured in terms of weight and length, and is the largest living waterfowl species on earth. It is the North American counterpart of the European Whooper Swan.-Description:Males typically measure from and weigh...
- Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperiiCooper's HawkCooper's Hawk is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from Canada to Mexico. As in many birds of prey, the male is smaller than the female...
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropusCommon MoorhenThe Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
- Cerulean warbler, Dendroica ceruleaCerulean WarblerThe Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea, is a small songbird of the New World warbler family.-Description:Adult males have pale cerulean blue upperparts and white underparts with a black necklace across the breast; they also have black streaks on the back and flanks...
- Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citreaProthonotary WarblerThe Prothonotary Warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. It is the only member of the genus Protonotaria....
- Louisiana waterthrush, Seiurus motacillaLouisiana WaterthrushThe Louisiana Waterthrush is a New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America from southernmost Canada and south through the eastern USA, excluding Florida and the coast....
- Hooded warbler, Wilsonia citrinaHooded WarblerThe Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina, is a New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America and across the eastern USA and into southernmost Canada, . It is migratory, wintering in Central America and the West Indies...
- Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarumGrasshopper SparrowThe Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum, is a small sparrow. The Ammodramus genus of 11 species inhabit grasslands and marshes....
- Henslow's sparrow, Ammodramus henslowiiHenslow's SparrowHenslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii, is a small American sparrow.Adults have streaked brown upperparts with a light brown breast with streaks, a white belly and a white throat...
Reptiles
- Eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolinaTerrapene carolina carolinaThe eastern box turtle is a subspecies within a group of hinge-shelled turtles, normally called box turtles. T. c. carolina is native to an eastern part of the United States....
Amphibians
- Blanchard's cricket frog, Acris crepitans blanchardi
Plants
- Leadplant, Amorpha canescensAmorpha canescensAmorpha canescens is a 1–3 feet tall deciduous shrub in the Pea family that is native to North America. It has very small purple flowers which are grouped in racemes. The compound leaves of this plant appear leaden due to their dense hairiness...
- White false indigo, Baptisia albaBaptisia albaBaptisia alba, commonly called White Wild Indigo or White False Indigo, is a herbaceous plant in the bean family Fabaceae. It is native from central and eastern North America.'...
- Yellow harlequin, Corydalis flavulaCorydalis flavulaCorydalis flavula is an annual plant native to the eastern United States.-External links:**...
- Downy sunflower, Helianthus mollis
- False boneset, Kuhnia eupatorioides
Invasive species
There are also several types of invasive species that can be found throughout the area. Because of the current issues with the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennisEmerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer is a green beetle native to Asia.In North America the borer is an invasive species, highly destructive to ash trees in its introduced range. The potential damage of this insect rivals that of Chestnut blight and Dutch Elm Disease...
), visitors are not allowed to move fire wood in or out of the park. Visitors are also prohibited to bring in any fish from other waters due to the growing common carp (Cyprinus carpio) problems; often these carp come from the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
which runs through the northern and western borders of the park. Other known invasive species include garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); these species are being dealt with by using controlled fires.
Getting there
Fort Custer Recreation Area is located north of I-94 between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo at Exits #85 or #92. The park is just east of Augusta on M-96.External links
- Fort Custer Recreation Area Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
- Fort Custer Michigan Mountain Bike Association (MMBA)
- Fort Custer Recreation Area Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)