22 Exciting Places to Go Snowmobiling in Upstate New York

Snowmobiling in Upstate New York

Snowmobiling in Upstate New York is nothing short of majestic when conditions are right. There are endless NY snowmobile trails to explore across multiple regions for riders of all different abilities–nothing short of a winter wonderland. You can bring your own sled, or there are plenty of places to rent a ride. Make sure you follow the rules and prepare for the chilly weather!

This article is divided into two sections:

  1. Small businesses that you can go on guided tours with or rent snowmobiles from.
  2. Public trails that you can ride your snowmobile on.

Precautions: Snowmobiling in Upstate NY

  1. Check that it’s legal–you must ride on a trail.
  2. Don’t trespass on private property. Not all trails are public or groomed for riding. 
  3. Plan your stops ahead to fuel and warm up, and always follow the trail signs. 
  4. Wear extra warm clothing: winter gloves, neck warmer, coat, snow pants, and snow boots. 
  5. Take breaks and bring water. Snowmobiling in Upstate NY takes more energy than you think! 
  6. Avoid riding on frozen lakes and ponds! If you see open water, veer away.

Guided Tours & Rental Places for Snowmobiling in New York

Scroll ahead to the next section if you want to see the best public trails for snowmobiling in New York.

1. C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours ★

C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours offers customized snowmobile tours for riders in Chestertown looking for an Adirondack snowmobiling adventure. They provide sleds for all abilities and helmets, but if you forget your warm winter gear, they do have some clothing to rent for a small fee. The one-hour tour is perfect for beginners on a well-groomed private trail, while the two-hour takes you to hills and woods on the Northern Warren Trailblazers trail system. You must be over the age of 6 to ride. 

  • One Hour: $95 -$120
  • Two Hours: $169-$214 double
  • Chestertown, NY
  • Adirondack Region 

2. ADK Snowmobile Rentals 

ADK Snowmobile Rentals is only a few minutes from downtown Old Forge (one of the best towns in the Adirondacks for snowmobiling) and connects right to the local trails. You can rent and go off on your own along the trails or book a guided tour. They offer 2021 Polaris & Ski-Doo Sled rentals in excellent condition, and helmets are provided. Snowmobiling gets busy in this area, so they have a strict cancellation policy– read before you book! 

  • $250-$325/per day + $50 waiver
  • Old Forge, NY
  • Adirondack Region

3. RPM Snowmobile Rentals 

RPM Snowmobile Rentals is a prime location in Old Forge and close to the main trail systems. This is the perfect place to rent if you’re looking for a weekend getaway, with several lodging options located right down Route 28. RPM sleds are new with minimal wear and equipped with heated hand grips, electric start, and reverse features. Weekend rentals are a two-day minimum. 

  • Weekday: $300- $325/per day
  • Weekend: $600-$700/per day + $500 security deposit per sled
  • Old Forge, NY 
  • Adirondack Region 

4. Adirondack Snowmobile 

This Lake Placid snowmobile rental provides fantastic guided tours around the area’s beautiful lakes, fields, and trails. Adirondack Snowmobile offers single and double-seated models for rent on a mix of wooded and groomed trails, many of which are not far from town and the best restaurants in Lake Placid. The price per tour covers the vehicle rental, fuel, and helmet. Call for a custom package if you just want a rental without the tour. 

  • $170 for a 75-90 minute tour
  • $500 for a 4-hour tour
  • Lake Placid, NY
  • Adirondack Region 

5. Adirondack Sport Center 

The Adirondack Sport Center is perfect for a weekend getaway with lodging and rentals onsite at the base of the Tug Hill Plateau between Tug Hill and Old Forge. The Bear Den Cabins onsite offer riders an option to stay and relax right on snowmobile trail S77D. Note: lodging is a two-night minimum, and you must bring your own towels and linens. 

  • Snowmobiles $250/day
  • Cabins: $50/night per person (two-night minimum)
  • Booneville, NY
  • Adirondack Region 

6. Village Rentals 

Village Rentals is highly recommended for Adirondack snowmobile rentals set right in Speculator. It’s close to some of the best trails in the area right from the shop, and customers rave about the excellent customer service here. They exclusively rent late-model, four-stroke Yamaha models that are perfect for both experienced and beginner riders. Book through Facebook as their website is down now.

  • $250/per day 
  • Speculator, NY 
  • Adirondack Region 

7. Vermont Mountain Adventures 

About a 30-minute drive from the New York/Vermont border is another spectacular opportunity to book a snowmobile tour through the Green Moutain Wilderness. Vermont Mountain Adventures offer two-hour backcountry tours on trails maintained by the Woodford Snowbuster Snowmobile Club, with a professional tour guide on Polaris Indy LXT models seven days a week. Try to make reservations 24 hours in advance to ensure a spot. Private tours are also available for an extra fee with a four-vehicle minimum. 

  • $180/driver, $70/passenger ($250 for private tour)
  • Stratton, VT

8. Flat Rock Inn

Flat Rock Inn and Campground is a quaint spot to rent and rest on your New York snowmobiling getaway near some of the best trails Tug Hill has to offer. They provide one-day rentals from 9 am-5 pm and have three furnished motel rooms to book with a two-night minimum on the weekend. Flat Rock rents Polaris Indy models and two-person touring snowmobiles and are in a prime location for trail access.  

  • Snowmobiles: $550-600/day; Motel: $120-$150 (4 guest max)
  • Lowville, NY
  • Adirondack Region

9. Farmhouse Snowmobiling ★ 

Snowmobiling is one of the best winter things to do in Lake Placid and Farmhouse Snowmobiling provides everything you need to make it memorable. They offer excellent guided snowmobile tours of the Lake Placid and Saranac Lake area, starting in the farm field and exploring both public and private trails. Views include stunning hills, deep woods, logging roads, and the former Sister’s Farm, built in 1905! Trails are 1 to 2.5 hours and are perfect for beginners and experienced riders. 

  • Call for pricing
  • Saranac Lake, NY
  • Adirondack Region

10. Owls Head Tours

Owls Head Tours, LLC is a local snowmobile rental in Upstate New York offering customized tours in Franklin County for riders of all abilities. This small company has only nine sleds, so you get a genuinely personalized experience– perfect for first-time riders! Malone is a cute town to stay in nearby, with lodging, dining, shopping, and other recreation. 

  • Call for pricing
  • Mountain View, NY 
  • Adirondack Region 

11. Charlies Inn ★

Even though you can’t find anything online for this, there are actually tours here! You must go into Charlie’s Inn and ask for the snowmobiling tours. They’ll direct you to this guy who leads them. We had an unforgettable experience doing a private tour of these trails. Charlie’s Inn is located off the Corridor 7 trail and is close to tons of fun things to do in Saranac Lake. They offer lodging, dining, drinks, and access to gorgeous trails for snowmobiling. This is also a popular summer spot for access to hiking trails in the Adirondacks! So if you like it here, come back afterward for year-round fun.

  • Lake Clear, New York
  • Adirondack Region

12. Sledder Scott Tours

Sledder Scott offers snowmobiling guided tours in the Adirondacks. We haven’t tried this one. And their website doesn’t have as much information on the experiences, so call them at (315)281-7122 for more details.


Public NEW YORK Snowmobile TRAILS 

NOTE: You MUST have insurance and a registered sled to ride on public trails in New York State. Some towns also require permits to ride, while others are maintained by snowmobile clubs–you CAN buy a membership for discounts on registration fees, but it’s not required. The New York Snowmobile Association provide more resources if you need them. 

Catskills/Hudson Valley Snowmobiling

@sallykdavis
  • Catskill Scenic Trail: A great trail for beginners, 19 miles long and following the Ulster & Delaware rail bed. Several ways to access and exit when riders need a break. 
  • Willowemoc Wild Forest Preserve: Spread over 14,800 acres of ponds and hills, about 29 miles long, and maintained by the Sullivan County Trail Association. Watch for dog sledders on the trail! 
  • Catskill Forest Preserve: Difficult backcountry trails (not for beginners), including the state C2 trail running between Campbell Mountain Cherry Ridge and Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area. This trail can get busy. 
  • Mount Utsayantha Trail: Snowmobile trails over private land with permission from the landowners as long as riders are respectful– follow Indian head-marked trails. Well-groomed with amazing views. 
  • Headwaters Trails: Near Bald Mountain Recreation center with several marked trails for riders and near the historic village of Stamford with food and amenities. 

Adirondack/Central Region Snowmobiling

  1. Tug Hill: One of the most popular snowmobiling trail systems in the Adirondacks with some of the heaviest snowfall in the state. Trails are kept up by Southern Tug Hill Sno-Riders and Turin Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club.
  2. Thurman Trail System: Awesome trail system in the northeastern Lake George region running from Lake Luzerne to Speculator. When traveling with a personal snowmobile, plan ahead for how to get from NYC to Lake George to avoid traffic and fines.
  3. Schroon Lake: Well-groomed trails pass through the forests along Schroon Lake. Sticks & Stones is a popular spot to stop for food; otherwise pretty secluded. 
  4. Corridor 7 and 7b: Both are located near Saranac Lake and not far from several hotels in Lake Placid. Corridor 7 is 41.74 miles and mostly flat, passing Charlies Inn; Corridor 7b is 7-minutes from downtown and rides flat through different mountain ranges. 
  5. The Adirondack Coast: Thousands of snowmobile trails crossing along the border of Canada. Must bring a passport if you plan to cross over the border! 
  6. Long Lake: Exciting trails with lots of lakeside lodging and dining options. Very family friendly and great for beginners. 
  7. Inlet: Awesome town near Old Forge and Indian Lake with a historic inn and tons of rental options if you need them. You must purchase a Town of Webb & Inlet Snowmobile Permit ($80) to ride.
  8. Blue Mountain Lake: Cute lakeside hamlet in the heart of the Adirondacks. Some trails are private so make sure you get the public trail map
  9. Raquette Lake: One of the most historic lakes in the Adirondacks, home to the Great Camps with fun trails that boast picturesque views. 
  10. Speculator: Large network of trails (about 600 miles) that are a mix of groomed and backcountry terrain. Locals recommend S78B, and there’s a double track perfect for beginner riders.
  11. Wilmington Snowmobile Trail: Very rugged trail for advanced riders, riding along Cooper Kiln Trail with stunning views of the Whiteface Mountain region. 
  12. Tupper Lake: Scenic backcountry trails with easy access to amenities in town and quick connections to gas, dining, sled repair, and Adirondacks breweries. Thirsty Moose Pub and Grub is a great spot to stop for food on the trails. 
  13. Old Forge: Called the “Snowmobile Capital of the East” with plenty of snow, 500 miles of trails, and easy access to nearby towns, ride-up lodging, and amenities. You must purchase a Town of Webb & Inlet Snowmobile Permit ($80) to ride.
  14. Southern Adirondack Snowmobile Associate: A snowmobile club in Mayfield that grooms 28 miles of beautiful mountain trails. Start at the Great Sacandaga Lake and travel through the Village of Mayfield, eventually connecting with Bleeker Snow Rovers trails.

Thousand Islands Snowmobiling

  1. Thousand Island Snowmobile Club: This group maintains over 80 miles of trails in the region with the help of 100 private landowners, well-marked, groomed trails with access to several towns and amenities at the trailheads.

Western NY Snowmobiling

  1. Byrncliff Golf Resort & Banquets: This is one of the top snowmobiling spots in America! It’s at the intersection of 4 major trails with free riding access and offers a bar and restaurant. 
  2. Letchworth State Park: Small trail network but with spectacular views– nicknamed ‘Grand Canyon of the East’! More than 25 miles of trails, and pretty seclusive to snowmobiling in the winter.
  3. Chestnut Ridge Park: Fun looping trails in Orchard Park, with a downloadable trail map. Close to a casino, sledding hill, and toboggan run. 

Finger Lakes Snowmobiling

@familyadventuresinnewyork
  1. Sugar Hill State Forest: Most popular in the Finger Lakes region, with 40 miles of trails that pass through stunning paths across Sugar Hill State Forest Park. 
  2. Fair Haven Beach State Park: One of the finest public lakefronts serving as a snowmobile haven in the winter. Also popular for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, so it may get busy.
  3. Filmore Glen State Park: Trails are on unplowed roads, in dense woods, but with amazing views, like unique geological formations, 5 waterfalls, and a gorge. 
  4. Finger Lake National Forest: More than 30 miles of interconnecting trails with views of gorges, ravines, woodlands, and Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Close walk to Watkins Glen, the only national forest in New York State

Where to Buy a Snowmobile in NEW YORK

  • Arctic Adventures: This shop in Rosendale offers a full line of new and used machines, full-stock parts, accessories, and snowmobiling clothing. Arctic Adventures is family-owned and dedicated to finding you the right ride for your ability and needs.
  • Smith Marine: This dealer is in Thendara near Old Forge and also sells new and used snowmobiles. They are an authorized Ski-Doo dealership and have a large selection. 

Author: Michelle Peterson

Michelle Peterson lives in the Hudson Valley, NY, with her three sons. She loves exploring the New York outdoors in all seasons. In addition to travel, she enjoys writing poetry and children’s stories.

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