Old Forge is a hamlet (and census-designated place) on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, Old Forge had a population of 727. Old Forge was formerly a village but dissolved its incorporation in 1936,; it remains the principal community in the region. As one of the western gateway communities of the Adirondack Park, Old Forge has 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). Old Forge often records the lowest winter temperatures in New York. On February 17, 1979, the record low temperature for New York was set in Old Forge at −52 °F (−47 °C).

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. John Francis Brown built a 25-mile (40 km) wagon trail from Remsen and attempted to settle about 20 families in the area. The land was unsuitable for farming, these attempts failed, and the area was abandoned by 1803.

One of John Brown's daughters, Sarah "Sally" Brown (1773–1846), married in 1801 Charles Frederick Herreshoff II (1763–1819). Together, they moved to the area and attempted to raise sheep, opened an iron mine, and built the first forge. These ventures again failed, and Herreshoff committed suicide in 1819. (see Herreshoff family) A few settlers remained, including Nat Foster.

The railroad was built in 1888, originally horse-drawn with wooden rails. Before the railroad was completed, the plans were changed to use steam power rather than horses. A station was constructed at nearby Thendara.

Old Forge was incorporated as a village in October 1903. 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. A second vote for the final dissolution plan took place on October 21, 1933, also in favor. The New York Supreme Court, 5th Judicial District, handed down a court order three months later suspending the dissolution process due to a lawsuit claiming the special election in October was illegal based on taxpayer and distribution factors within the plan. 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. In the summer of 2025 there was a spike in gang-related crime in the town.

Many peaks can be seen from the village, including McCauley Mountain, home of McCauley Mountain Ski Resort.^{[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, Old Forge controls primary access to more than 500 miles (800 km) of groomed trails. These trails, combined with operative sidewalk and limited street use, often ridable frozen lakes (especially the adjoining Fulton Chain of Lakes), and connection to other large trail systems, offer substantial area for the sport.

The western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is found near Old Forge. The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine. The route was completed in 2006 and runs through both public and private lands. It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.