MTB Project Logo

Fort Custer MTB Trails - Singletrack Tour

 4.4 (34)
  1. Areas
  2. MI
  3. …Western Michigan
  4. …Battle Creek
  5. Fort Custer State Recreation Area
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

15.1 Miles 24.3 Kilometers


95%

Singletrack

393' 120 m

Ascent

-393' -120 m

Descent

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (4°)

880' 268 m

High

814' 248 m

Low

Shared By ESG Greene

Conditions

Minor Issues 2 days ago
Mostly Dry, Some Mud History
Getting forecast...

“A combination of the best singletrack of the area into one loop.”

— ESG Greene
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs 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.

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!

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.

Contacts

Local Club: Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association

Mar 5, 2017: test

Land Manager: MI DNR - Fort Custer Office

You & This Featured Ride


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Ride

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Nov 10, 2018
Jeff Carter
16mi — 1h 51m
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
Sep 29, 2018
Rick Garcia
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
Aug 11, 2018
Brent E
4mi
Jul 19, 2018
Jason John
First time riding the red loop. Had a good time. 8.2mi
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
Jun 2, 2018
Allen Kraus
Lots of trimming done, a couple places yet to do. 36.3mi

Stewarded By

Stewarded by Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 34 votes

#1

in Fort Custer State Recreation Area

#283

Overall
  4.4 from 34 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Fort Custer State Recr…

#11

in Michigan

#283

Overall
233 Views Last Month
18,726 Since Aug 30, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
13%
52%
32%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Loose but Fast - Green Trail
Loose but Fast - Green Trail
 2
Hard packed rock descent into a fast singletrack on the Red Loop
Hard packed rock descent into a fast singletrac…
 2
Nice climb on the Green Loop
Nice climb on the Green Loop
 2
Riding into a wood and dirt coaster on the Green Loop.
Riding into a wood and dirt coaster on the Gree…
 4
A log skinny on the Red Loop.
A log skinny on the Red Loop.
 4
Typical harder section along this ride
Typical harder section along this ride
 5

2 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Popular
Tom Leigh
Tom Leigh  
...thursdays lunch menu. Jul 30, 2013
Jordan Downing
Ann Arbor, MI
Jordan Downing   Ann Arbor, MI
Great Trail!! May 8, 2017

MTB Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Mountain Bike

MTB Project is supported by

Support Your Local IMBA Chapter