Old Forge averages about 177 inches of snow every winter. That is close to 15 feet, falling on a town that grooms trail twice a day, every day, from early December until the snow gives out. It is why Old Forge snowmobiling pulls riders from across New York, New Jersey, New England and Ontario. It is also why the riders who know the area best stop booking one weekend at a time and settle in for the season.
HTR Adirondacks sits on the banks of the Moose River along Route 28, a few minutes from the Fulton Chain of Lakes. This winter, we have two ways to make it your base camp: six plowed winter seasonal RV sites and Moose River Lodge, a four-bedroom house with room for 12 and a place to park the sleds. Below: why the area earns its reputation, what each option includes and costs, how to prep an RV for a winter of dry camping, and the permits you need before you ride.
Why Is Old Forge Called the Snowmobile Capital of the East?
Old Forge earns the title with three things most snowmobile towns can only offer one or two of: reliable snow, a massive groomed trail network, and a town built to support riders all season. Here is how those pieces stack up.
- Snow: The Old Forge–Inlet area averages about 177 inches a year, according to Experience Old Forge. The Tug Hill Plateau to the west is one of the best-known lake-effect snow belts in the East, and Old Forge sits in its path.
- Miles: The Town of Webb trail system covers more than 500 miles of groomed trail through the Old Forge and Inlet area, with connections into the major trail systems of Central and Upstate New York.
- Grooming: Paid crews run two grooming shifts daily, so you are not riding on Saturday afternoon’s moguls on Sunday morning.
- Timing: Trails typically open in early December, after big game hunting season closes, and stay open as long as conditions allow.
The terrain matters as much as the numbers. Trails wind through state forest, skirt frozen lakes on the Fulton Chain, and climb into the hills between Old Forge, Eagle Bay and Inlet. Longer runs head east through the Moose River corridor toward Indian Lake. On a clear morning after a fresh groom, it is hard to find a better ride east of the Rockies.
One practical note, because it affects how you plan: HTR Adirondacks does not have direct trail access. You will trailer your sled a short drive to a trail connection. That is standard for most Old Forge lodging, and it means your camp stays quiet at night. Check the Town of Webb trail conditions page before you load up. It is updated through the season and is the first place locals look.
Winter Seasonal RV Sites vs. Moose River Lodge: Which Fits Your Crew?
The right winter setup at HTR Adirondacks comes down to two questions: do you already own an RV, and how many people are riding with you? Solo riders and couples with a winter-capable rig usually land on an RV site. Groups of four to 12, or anyone who would rather not winterize a camper, tend to pick the lodge.
What comes with a winter seasonal RV site
Each of the six winter seasonal RV sites is a wooded site with a private fire pit and picnic table, plowed through the winter. You get 30- or 50-amp electric and WiFi at no extra charge. Sites are dry camping only, with no water or sewer at the pedestal, so you will use the bathhouse for water and restrooms. Propane is available on site. Come-and-go access means you can leave your rig parked between trips and head home midweek. Most seasonal guests do exactly that.
- Season: Dec 4, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027
- Rate: $1,599 flat for the season, with electricity and WiFi included
- Hookups: 30- or 50-amp electric; water and restrooms at the bathhouse
- Extras: Plowed sites, propane on site, pets welcome, sled parking at your site
- Availability: Six sites total
What comes with Moose River Lodge
Moose River Lodge is a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath house built for a riding group. The kitchen has stainless appliances and a breakfast bar, and there is a separate dining area for the crew. A washer and dryer handle wet gear. Central heat, a large living room, four TVs and a porch round it out, along with space to park sleds and trailers. Book it by the month or for the full season.
- Season: Dec 4, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027
- Rate: $13,999 for the season or $3,999 per month, with electricity and WiFi included
- Space: Sleeps up to 12 in four bedrooms, with 2.5 baths
- Extras: Dedicated snowmobile parking, fire pit, outdoor grill, pets welcome
What Does a Full Season of Old Forge Snowmobiling Actually Cost?
A full winter in Old Forge costs less per ride than most riders expect, as long as you divide it out. Weekend lodging during peak sled season adds up fast, and every trip means packing and unpacking. A season stay flips that math: pay once, keep your gear in place, and ride whenever the snow is good.
- Winter seasonal RV site: $1,599 for 121 days (about 17 weekends). That works out to about $94 per weekend, or $13 per night.
- Moose River Lodge, full season: $13,999 for 140 days (20 weeks). That is about $700 per week for the whole house, or $1,167 per person for a group of 12.
- Moose River Lodge, monthly: $3,999 per month, or about $333 per person per month for a group of 12.
A few things stand out when you run the numbers:
- The RV site is hard to beat. Pull up what you paid for your last Old Forge weekend and compare it to $94.
- The lodge rewards groups. Split 12 ways, a full season comes to about $8 per person per night, with a full kitchen that cuts restaurant spending too.
- Monthly vs. season on the lodge: Three months at the monthly rate costs $11,997. Four months costs $15,996. If your group plans to ride more than three months, the $13,999 season rate is the better deal.
Budget for the ride, too. A Town of Webb trail permit and New York State registration apply to every sled on the trail. Details are in the permit section below.
How to Prep Your RV for Dry Camping Through an Adirondack Winter
Winter dry camping in Old Forge works well if your RV is set up for it before you arrive. Nights regularly drop well below zero, and there is no water or sewer hookup at the winter sites. That removes the biggest cold-weather headache, frozen hoses, but it puts the job of keeping plumbing safe on you. Use this checklist before you pull in.
- Winterize the fresh water system. Drain the fresh tank and water heater, blow out the lines, and add RV antifreeze to the traps. You will use the bathhouse for water and restrooms, so there is no reason to keep water in the lines.
- Protect the holding tanks. Empty your gray and black tanks before arrival and add a few cups of RV antifreeze to each. If you plan to use the RV toilet at all, a tank heater is worth the investment.
- Skirt the rig. Insulated skirting or foam board around the base cuts wind and helps your furnace keep up. Plowing keeps your site clear, but drifts will still build against the sides.
- Plan your heat. With electric included, a space heater takes much of the load off your propane furnace. Keep the furnace as backup and top off propane on site when you need it.
- Watch the roof. Heavy Adirondack snow loads can strain slide toppers and awnings. Retract awnings, and clear the roof and slides after big storms.
- Guard against moisture and mice. Run a small dehumidifier or crack a roof vent to control condensation, and seal gaps around plumbing and wiring before you leave the rig for a week.
If that list sounds like more work than you want, it is exactly why groups book Moose River Lodge instead. For site specs and campground amenities, see the HTR Adirondacks amenities page.
What Permits Do You Need to Ride Old Forge Snowmobile Trails?
Riding Old Forge snowmobile trails requires two things for every sled: a New York State snowmobile registration and a Town of Webb trail permit. Out-of-state riders need both, even if the sled is already registered at home. Here is the order to handle them in.
- Register the sled with New York State. The standard fee is $135, or $65 if you belong to a snowmobile club affiliated with the New York State Snowmobile Association. Sleds registered in another state still need a NYS registration, but only have to display the yearly validation sticker, not the NY number decals. Full details are on the NYS Parks snowmobile registration page.
- Carry liability insurance. New York requires minimum coverage of $10,000 per person, $20,000 for an accident involving two or more people, and $5,000 in property damage.
- Buy a Town of Webb trail permit. A 2026–27 seasonal permit is $80 per sled through Nov. 15, 2026, and $100 after. A 7-day permit is $55. Order online through the Town of Webb and allow 7–10 business days for delivery. You will need the sled’s VIN and the owner’s birth date.
- Or pick it up in town. Permits are also sold at the Old Forge Visitor Information Center (3140 State Route 28) and the Inlet Information Office (160 Route 28).
The Nov. 15 cutoff is worth circling. Buying early saves $20 per sled, and for a group of six riders, that is $120 back in the fuel fund before the trails even open. Moose River Lodge’s season opens Nov. 16, so a lodge group can lock in permits the day before arriving.
What Else Is There to Do in Old Forge in Winter?
Old Forge in winter offers plenty for the days the sleds stay parked, or for anyone in your group who does not ride. Downhill skiing, snowshoeing and a walkable town are all within a short drive of HTR Adirondacks.
- Ski McCauley Mountain. McCauley Mountain, just outside the hamlet of Old Forge, has 21 trails, a 633-foot vertical drop and a 2,200-foot summit, served by a triple chair, a T-bar, rope tows and a beginner conveyor. It is a local favorite for families and for riders taking a day off the sled.
- Snowshoe and cross-country ski. McCauley also offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Fern Park in nearby Inlet has free cross-country and snowshoe trails, plus an ice rink and a sledding hill.
- Explore the frozen Fulton Chain. The lakes that draw paddlers in summer turn into wide, quiet expanses of white. Stick to marked routes and check local ice reports before heading out.
- Settle in at camp. Back at HTR Adirondacks, the Moose River runs past the property all winter. A fire at your site after a long day on the trail is hard to beat.
Pack for the cold: layers, waterproof boots, and a headlamp for early nights. Daylight in December runs under nine hours, so plan longer rides to start early.
Old Forge Snowmobiling FAQ
Is there water and sewer at HTR Adirondacks winter RV sites?
No. The six winter seasonal RV sites at HTR Adirondacks are dry camping sites with 30- or 50-amp electric and WiFi included, but no water or sewer at the site. Guests use the bathhouse for water and restrooms. Propane is available on site, and sites are plowed throughout the season, which runs Dec. 4, 2026 through Apr. 4, 2027.
When do Old Forge snowmobile trails open?
Town of Webb snowmobile trails in Old Forge typically open in early December, after big game hunting season ends, and stay open as long as snow conditions allow, often into March. Opening dates depend on snowfall, so check the Town of Webb trail conditions page before you trailer up.
Do out-of-state snowmobiles need New York registration?
Yes. Snowmobiles registered in another state must also be registered in New York to ride public trails. Out-of-state sleds only need to display the yearly NYS validation sticker. Riders in Old Forge also need a Town of Webb trail permit, which costs $80 per sled for the season if purchased by Nov. 15, 2026.
Can I leave my RV at HTR Adirondacks between visits?
Yes. Winter seasonal RV sites include come-and-go access, so you can leave your RV parked on site for the full season and return whenever conditions are good. Many seasonal guests ride on weekends and head home midweek. Winterize your plumbing and clear snow from the roof and slides after major storms.
How many people can stay at Moose River Lodge in winter?
Moose River Lodge at HTR Adirondacks sleeps up to 12 guests in four bedrooms with two and a half baths. It is available for the 2026–27 winter season, Dec. 4 through Apr. 4, for $13,999, or monthly for $3,999. Electricity, WiFi and snowmobile parking are included, and pets are welcome.
More questions? See the HTR Adirondacks FAQs.
Reserve your winter base camp
There are only six winter RV sites and one lodge, and the early trail permit price ends Nov. 15. Lock in your spot now.
RV owners: Reserve a winter seasonal RV site
Groups: Book Moose River Lodge for the season
Or call (315) 369-2700.
About HTR Adirondacks: HTR Adirondacks sits on the banks of the Moose River in Old Forge, New York, minutes from the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the six-million-acre Adirondack Park. It offers RV sites, cabins, safari tents and lodge stays, with winter seasonal stays for snowmobile season.