Fort Custer MTB Trails - Singletrack Tour
Trail
15.1 mile
24.3 kilometer
loop
95% Singletrack
Intermediate/Difficult
Elevation
Ascent:
393'
120 m
Descent: -393' -120 m
High: 880' 268 m
Low: 814' 248 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 1% (1°)
Max Grade: 8% (4°)
Dogs
Unknown
Weather
Unknown
“A combination of the best singletrack of the area into one loop.”
— ESG GreeneElectric Mountain Bikes Unknown
Features -none-
Do not ride the horse trails, they are marked and no fun to bike on anyway.
Overview
Fort Custer Recreation Area has a fun and scenic collection of purpose built singletrack mountain bike trails. The trail surface is mostly hard packed, fast, and there is little elevation change in the whole area. There are unfortunately lots of short sections of soft sand, so stay on your toes.
This ride combines the two main loops, the Red Loop and the Green Loop, into one suggested ride. The Red Loop generally has a little more twisty but smooth riding. The Green loop is of the same general character, but tends to be a little more technical and has more straight and wide trail.
This ride combines the two main loops, the Red Loop and the Green Loop, into one suggested ride. The Red Loop generally has a little more twisty but smooth riding. The Green loop is of the same general character, but tends to be a little more technical and has more straight and wide trail.
Need to Know
There is an entry fee to get into the park. It is currently $11 for an in-state yearly pass, $8.40 for an out-of-state day pass, and $30.50 for an out-of-state yearly pass. After the gate, follow the main road to the clearly marked mountain bike parking area.
There's hunting here in season, so be careful!
There's hunting here in season, so be careful!
Description
From the parking area, head to the obvious trailhead with a map posted. Head straight out and take the first right onto doubletrack, then the Red Loop starts on the right. Follow the signs to stay on the Red Loop until its end for this ride. There are scenic ponds throughout with abundant wildlife including birds and beaver.
All of the trails are well marked with signposts. These often give a name to the section of trail that is coming up. The trail winds sharply in a very fun manner through what seem to be old trenches for the first bit. It then turns into a typical mix of twisty smooth singletrack, short technical uphills or downhills, and straight stretches on wide trail.
You'll eventually end up just about back where you started and then you'll take the doubletrack path to the left. Soon the Green Loop will enter the woods on the left. Follow this trail around Eagle Lake until you once again end up back at the parking lot. There are both greater difficulties and longer sections of wide trail on the Green Loop.
All of the trails are well marked with signposts. These often give a name to the section of trail that is coming up. The trail winds sharply in a very fun manner through what seem to be old trenches for the first bit. It then turns into a typical mix of twisty smooth singletrack, short technical uphills or downhills, and straight stretches on wide trail.
You'll eventually end up just about back where you started and then you'll take the doubletrack path to the left. Soon the Green Loop will enter the woods on the left. Follow this trail around Eagle Lake until you once again end up back at the parking lot. There are both greater difficulties and longer sections of wide trail on the Green Loop.
Contacts
Local Club: Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association
Mar 5, 2017: test
Land Manager: MI DNR - Fort Custer Office
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Check-Ins
Nov 3, 2018
Brent E
My my 8 yr old son's first time on the red trail. He made 80% of the climbs and killed it with his desire to push his endurance, beast!
"Take 5 Da…
7.8mi
Aug 14, 2018
Casey Nolan
Almost hit a deer, ran into a tree, almost fell off bridge into water. Twas a great day on the trail :D
10mi
Jul 2, 2018
Brian Emmons
This is one of the best mountain bike trails I have ever ridden. It continues to prove that every time I ride here.
10.8mi
Aug 14, 2017
Fletcher Talmage
Spectacular Trail! Amazing features and bits of flow track. Definitely coming back for another round soon.
Aug 2, 2017
Tom Dailey
cemetery entrance, rode >3 miles after turning app off. low battery. great stumpy ride. blackberries.
20mi
Jun 24, 2017
Eric Fournier
Rode both loops together in the morning then the red after lunch and green again after dinner. Great track!
30.2mi
May 19, 2017
steve antonacci
well maintained trail system. not much elevation change. very fast and flowy. some sand. stays pretty dry even after decent rain.
May 29, 2016
T.J. M.
Did parts of each loop on different days over a four day weekend at the campground. Nice trails.
Aug 27, 2014
Jason Zuziak
This is a pretty sweet trail. I did the red loop and then the green loop. It has a little of everything. I'd have to say that it's on another level...
14.8mi
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