As one of the western gateway communities of the Adirondack Park, Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism especially during the summer months.

The local school is the Town of Webb UFSD, a K–12 institution with the Timberwolves as its mascot (changed from Eskimos in 2023).

[10][11] In 1798, the 210,000-acre (85,000 ha) area including Old Forge came into possession of the Brown family of Rhode Island, through a transaction involving Aaron Burr.

[12] John Francis Brown built a 25-mile (40 km) wagon trail from Remsen and attempted to settle about 20 families in the area.

Together, they moved to the area and attempted to raise sheep, opened an iron mine, and built the first forge.

[1][2] The incorporation would be short-lived, as residents voted to dissolve the village on July 11, 1933, 117 to 96, due to the high cost of government operations.

[18][19] After an appeal to the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, the Village of Old Forge was officially able to dissolve on March 31, 1936.

[citation needed] As Old Forge is frequently affected by lake-effect snow, and with 65% snowmaking capabilities, McCauley averages a base of 120 inches (3,000 mm) and 105 days of skiing.

[citation needed] Snowfall totals also contribute to the area's other primary winter draw, snowmobiling.

Dubbed the "Snowmobile Capital of the East" by USA Today,[21] Old Forge controls primary access to more than 500 miles (800 km) of groomed trails.

The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine.

It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.

The community lies within the Adirondack Mountains, a southern extension of the Canadian Shield and an important geologic feature of New York.

Old Forge has been home, or at least the summer residence, to many notable people, including former presidents, Olympic athletes, World Cup skiers, and a pioneering female physician.