Old Forge Snowmobile Trails Guide

Short answer: Old Forge is the largest hamlet in the Town of Webb, in the Central Adirondacks of New York. To ride the Towns of Webb and Inlet trail system you need two things: a valid New York State snowmobile registration and a Towns of Webb and Inlet trail permit. One does not replace the other. For 2026-2027 the seasonal permit is $80 per sled if paid by Nov. 15, 2026, and $100 after that. A 7-day permit is $55.

The towns list a scheduled opening of Monday, Dec. 7, 2026, conditions permitting. When we checked on Oct. 30, the town's trail conditions page said the system was closed for the season. Trail opening depends on snow and temperature, not the calendar.

You also need liability insurance, as New York law requires. Lakes and ponds are not part of the trail system, and the towns do not recommend riding on lake or pond ice. No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself.

Quick facts

Where Old Forge sits

The Old Forge tourism site calls Old Forge the largest hamlet in the historic Town of Webb. The town also includes Eagle Bay, Big Moose and Stillwater. The Towns of Webb and Inlet trail system connects with surrounding trail networks across the Central Adirondacks.

The NY Department of Environmental Conservation describes the 16,028-acre Fulton Chain Wild Forest as lying along the Fulton Chain of Lakes, close to Old Forge, Eagle Bay and Inlet. Those lakes are water, not trail. See the lake ice section below.

We found no official mile count for the local system, so we do not give one. The towns offer printed trail maps at the Old Forge and Inlet information centers, and digital trail information through the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA).

The two things you need

1. Towns of Webb and Inlet trail permit

The 2026-2027 prices from the towns:

• Seasonal permit: $80 per snowmobile through Nov. 15, 2026. $100 after that.
• 7-day permit: $55 per snowmobile. It must be picked up in person and cannot be mailed.
• Seasonal weekday permits were discontinued for 2026-2027.
• Card fee: Paying by credit card adds $3 or 2.65%, whichever is greater. Choosing "Pay in Person" and paying by check avoids it.

There is no one-day or weekend permit. Apply online, then have it mailed or pick it up at the Old Forge or Inlet information centers. The towns say to allow 7 to 10 business days for mail. There are no refunds. The permit goes on the driver's left side of the windshield. A VIN is required, and the permit should be in the registered owner's name. Permits cannot be passed from one person to another.

The Towns of Webb and Inlet do not take part in New York's free snowmobile weekend. The trail permit is still required then.

2. New York State registration

Every snowmobile operated in New York must carry a valid state registration and display the current validation sticker. The towns and NY State Parks list the fee at $135 per sled. Joining a NYSSA-recognized club and using its voucher brings it to $65.

Riding from out of state? The towns say eligible riders with a sled registered in their home state can register online and get a temporary 15-day New York registration right away. Registration rules and fees can change. Check the state page before you buy.

Rules in town

• Route 28 and the TOBIE Trail are closed to snowmobiles.
• Access routes: The towns name the groomed sidewalk on the north side of Route 28 in Thendara to Middle Branch Road, and the north-side sidewalk route from North Street to Grove Trail.
• Town roads other than Route 28 are open for access to the trail system unless posted. Obey posted signs.
• Parking: Day visitors may park trucks and trailers at the Hiltebrant Recreation Center lot on North Street. After the Snodeo weekend, overnight parking for trailers only is open in the upper lot behind the center. Tow vehicles may not be left there. Trailers must be removed about a week before SnoFest in March.
• Access map: The towns publish an Old Forge snowmobile access map and a trailer parking map. Use them.

Season and trail conditions

The towns rate trails as Great, Good, Fair or Marginal. Marginal means minimum coverage with possible bare spots, and grooming may be limited or unavailable. Trails are scheduled to open Dec. 7, 2026. The towns' event list also shows Snodeo on Dec. 11 and 12, and SnoFest in March 2027. Events can change.

Check the towns' trail conditions page each time you ride. It was showing the off-season notice on Oct. 30. Treat any report as a snapshot.

Neighboring clubs

The Town of Webb runs its own municipal trail system and says it is not a snowmobile club. It does not get reimbursed from the state Snowmobile Trail Fund, which is why it charges a permit. Clubs around the system maintain connecting trails. The towns list these near the system: Beaver River Association of Snowmobilers and Skiers (BRASS), Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club (Hamilton County), Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club (Oneida County) and Brantingham Snowmobile Club.

Age and safety courses

• Ages 14 to 17: May ride without an adult after completing a NY-recognized safety course. Without a certificate, an adult 18 or older must stay within 500 feet.
• Ages 10 to 13: Need a recognized safety course and an adult 18 or older within 500 feet.
• Under 10, or under 14 without a certificate: Only on land owned or leased by a parent or guardian.
• A safety certificate from another state or country is recognized.

The towns list youth courses for 2026-2027 on Dec. 12, 2026 and Jan. 16, 2027 in Inlet, and Dec. 27, 2026 in Old Forge.

Lake ice caution

The towns say lakes and ponds are not part of their trail system. They do not recommend riding on lake or pond ice, and say ice conditions vary and cannot be guaranteed safe. We agree. Stay on the groomed trail.

If you still go onto ice, know the general numbers. The Minnesota DNR publishes guidelines for new, clear ice only: under 4 inches, stay off; 4 inches for activity on foot; 5 to 7 inches for a snowmobile or small ATV. That is a general reference, not a New York rule. The same page says to double those figures on white ice, which is about half as strong. It also says ice can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away.

No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself.

Other basics:

• Tell someone your route and return time.
• Carry a charged phone, a map and a spare layer.
• Ride sober. Obey posted signs and respect landowners.

FAQ

Do I need a trail permit to ride in Old Forge?

Yes. The Towns of Webb and Inlet require a trail permit on top of your New York registration. For 2026-2027 the seasonal permit is $80 through Nov. 15, 2026 and $100 after. The 7-day permit is $55.

When do the Old Forge snowmobile trails open?

The towns schedule the opening for Monday, Dec. 7, 2026, conditions permitting. Snow and cold decide the real date. The town's conditions page is the place to check.

Can I ride my out-of-state sled in Old Forge?

Yes, with New York registration. The towns say eligible riders with a sled registered in their home state can get a temporary 15-day New York registration online. You also need the Webb and Inlet trail permit and liability insurance.

Is there a free snowmobile weekend in Old Forge?

New York may waive its registration requirement for eligible out-of-state riders on designated free weekends. The Towns of Webb and Inlet do not take part. The trail permit is still required.

Can I ride on the Fulton Chain lakes?

The towns do not recommend riding on lake or pond ice and say lakes and ponds are not part of the trail system. Ice varies and cannot be guaranteed safe. No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself.