Department of Natural Resources state park and recreation officials today announced Fort Custer Recreation Area near Battle Creek is expanding its winter camping opportunities this season to be one of 10 Michigan state park campgrounds that will stay open all winter.

The park's Whitford-Lawler Lake Group Camp and the Trailside Cabin and Lakeview Cabin will operate through the winter months to accommodate winter campers and sports enthusiasts.

"We are excited to offer these expanded opportunities to GO-Get Outdoors this winter to accommodate the needs of our campers," said Tony Trojanowski, park manager. "Last year we opened the Whitford-Lawler Lake Group Camp to scout troops who wanted to earn their arctic and winter camping merit badges, and other campers asked about staying in the cabins during the winter."

The two rustic cabins offer 12 bunk beds, propane heat, picnic tables both inside and outside, a fire circle and a picnic grill. There are vault toilets and a hand pump for water nearby. The Whitford-Lawler Lake Group Camp offers a hand pump for water, a vault toilet and fire circle.

Camping reservations for the cabins may be made online at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling (800) 447-2757. Call the park at (269) 731-4200 to make reservations for the group camp.

For more information about the park, cabins and group camp, or to learn about accessibility at Fort Custer Recreation Area, please contact the park manager at (269) 731-4200 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or go online to www.michigan.gov/fortcuster.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.