Fort Custer Green and Red Trail Loop

The Green Loop is rated as intermediate, featuring some technical sections, long climbs, and rooty or rocky portions. The Red Loop is also intermediate but includes more difficult and technical sections with bigger climbs. Less experienced riders can use bypasses around the advanced features on the Red Loop. Overall, the Fort Custer trail system ranges from beginner (Yellow Loop) to intermediate (Blue, Green, and Red Loops).

Both loops are primarily hard-packed singletrack. The Red Trail features winding hills, wooded sections, and passes by ponds and trenches, offering a mix of twisty, smooth singletrack, short technical uphills and downhills, and some straight stretches. You might encounter short sections of soft sand. The Green Trail winds through the forest with technical areas, long climbs, and rooty and rocky sections.

The full loop, combining both the Green and Red Trails, is approximately 15.87 km (9.86 miles) long. It typically takes around 1 hour and 19 minutes to complete by mountain bike, depending on your pace and skill level.

A unique feature of these trails is their alternating directional use. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the trails are ridden counterclockwise. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, they are ridden clockwise. This system helps refresh the riding experience and enhances safety.

Yes, the Red Loop is known for specific named sections like "The Trenches" (dug by soldiers during its military base past), "Rocks and Roots," "Crazy Beaver" (which loops around a spring-fed pond), "Camel Humps," and "Granny's Garden." Granny's Garden is a challenging area with drops, climbs, and log crossings, but a bypass is available for those who prefer to avoid it. You can find more details about the Red Trail — Fort Custer Recreation Area.

Yes, Fort Custer Recreation Area typically requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle entry. This passport can be purchased annually or daily. It's advisable to check the official Michigan DNR website for the most current fee and permit information before your visit.

The trails within Fort Custer Recreation Area are generally dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Please remember to clean up after your pet to help keep the trails enjoyable for everyone.

The trails are enjoyable throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Spring offers lush greenery, while fall brings vibrant foliage. During hunting season, which typically runs from September to March, it's highly advisable to wear blaze orange as the trails are multi-use and shared with hunters.

Specific parking information for the Green and Red Loops is usually available at the main entrances of Fort Custer Recreation Area. There are designated parking lots within the park that provide access to the trailheads. Look for signage directing you to mountain bike trail parking.

Yes, the route passes through sections of several other trails within Fort Custer Recreation Area, including the Green Trail, Red Trail, Historic Trail, Yellow Trail, Antenna Trail, and Equestrian Trail. This allows for various route combinations and exploration of the wider park.

The Green Loop offers picturesque views as it circumnavigates Eagle Lake and passes several other streams. The Red Loop also features scenic ponds and incorporates unique landscape elements like "The Trenches." While there aren't traditional 'viewpoints' with expansive vistas, the natural beauty of the forests, lakes, and unique geological features provide plenty of visual interest.