Old Forge / Town Of Webb

Old Forge in the Town of Webb has been renowned since the 1960s as “ Snowmobile Capital of the East ” and continues to work hard to keep the title . Adirondack snowmobile touring is the game here , with more than 30 trails looping over almost 500 square miles and connecting to New York State trails in every direction .

Families and touring riders love riding through pine tree glades and along rivers and ponds to scenic mountain overlooks . The trail system links the communities of Old Forge , Thendara , Eagle Bay , Big Moose , Stillwater , Beaver River and Inlet , where all lodging and amenities are accessible by snowmobile . All NY State COVID provisions are followed to ensure the utmost safety of visitors and residents alike .

Each community has a distinct personality , from the bustling “ Snowmobile Central ” flavor of Old Forge to the deep-woods resort feel of Big Moose and the wilderness comfort of Beaver River . The constant theme is the relaxed , “ snowmobiling-forriding-fun ” atmosphere .

Riders in the Old Forge area prefer looping through the forests on wide , meandering trails to enjoy the scenery and comradery . Riders wanting longer trips use Old Forge as base camp , and venture out on state trails to neighboring Hamilton County , Tug Hill and Oneida County communities .

The trail network is a paid-permit system , and the trail fees

support the Webb Snowmobile Trail Maintenance Department , with a dozen full-time employees . Groomers are out on two shifts daily , seven days per week , providing the best riding possible from early December through April 1 . Those efforts ensure the most reliably good conditions .

Snodeo , the season ’ s kicks off event , is tentatively scheduled for December 11-13 , 2020 , subject to change according to NY State COVID restrictions . Likewise , SnoFest , the wrap-up event of the season , is tentatively scheduled for March 5-6 , 2021 .

Old Forge has a 50-year history of catering to snowmobilers . This season , come see why everyone calls it “ Snowmobile Capital of the East .”

The Upper Peninsula

When it comes to snowmobiling , no place seems more custom-made for riding than Michigan ’ s Upper Peninsula . Spanning more than 380 miles from east to west and surrounded by scenic Great Lakes , the U . P . is a unique snowmobile destination .

Throughout this 16,000 square mile area , you will find a rugged and fascinating landscape , packed with waterfalls and overlooks , dense forests and broad

clearings that create the ultimate canvas on which more than 2,500 miles of well-mapped and expertly groomed trails are etched . Paint that surface with more than 200 inches of annual snowfall and you ’ ve got a snowmobiling utopia . And , no matter where you visit in the U . P ., you ’ ll find snowmobile-friendly businesses and communities .

Trail types in the U . P . include something for everybody : from mostly straight and flat rail trails that allow you to connect towns quickly , to logging roads with wide , sweeping turns , to narrower paths that twist through remote forests . Modestly priced Michigan trail permits are readily available at many businesses .

Let ’ s start in the east after crossing the Mackinaw Bridge . You can follow trails east and take the ferry to Drummond Island , or go north to the Sault Ste . Marie area , where you can visit the site of the annual Soo I-500 enduro race . This ultimate one-day test of man and machine will be Saturday , February 6 , but festivities surrounding the event begin February 1 . Another can ’ t miss option is riding to the aptly named town of Paradise . It ’ s just 10 miles to Tahquamenon

Falls , the second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River .

The central U . P . has its own charms . Enjoy awesome views of Lake Superior and Grand Island from the famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore just a bit northeast of Munising , or visit the Log Slide – a 300-foot high overlook about 12 miles by trail from Grand Marais – before going to the Kingston Plaines off-trail playground . Then explore the awesome trails of the vast Hiawatha National Forest . On the shore of Indian Lake near Manistique , Palm Brook State Park features Big Spring – Michigan ’ s largest fresh water thermal feature . Visitors can board a large wooden cable raft for a self-guided tour of the mammoth spring that stays at 45 degrees ( F ) year-round .

A bit farther to the west , the great snowmobiling hub of Marquette offers a multitude of lodging possibilities , great dining and is an ideal location to enjoy new adventures every day . There is easy access to the Huron Mountain Range , Big Bay , Baraga County , Gwinn , Ishpeming and much more , plus make sure to take in the sights from the Mount Marquette overlook .

Moving further west , a visit to the Keweenaw Peninsula is a must for any hardcore sledhead . Cross the bridge at Houghton / Hancock before venturing all the way to Copper Harbor , the northernmost village in Michigan at tip of the Keweenaw .

Visitors to the Western U . P . benefit from the big lake effect snows off of Superior . A trip to the Lake of the Clouds overlook and into the Porcupine Mountains headlines the numerous scenic opportunities .

When you reach day ’ s end , relax and recharge in a comfortable room at one of the many outstanding hotels , resorts , cabins or B & Bs that dot the U . P . A wide variety of outstanding dining is readily available to make the day complete .