North Fork-The Exact Center of California
North Fork was born by accident. Milton Brown, a businessman, saw the north fork of Willow Creek as the ideal drop off place for cattle and other livestock on their trek to high sierra pastures in the spring. Lumber mills and roads soon followed. In no time, North Fork achieved distinction in the logging industry. The National Forest discontinued logging in the early 1980’s.
Today, its population of 3,892 residents is focusing on plans for the town's future as an historic tourist site. North Fork is a gateway to the Sierra National Forest, a major stopping point on the Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway and the Scenic Route to Yosemite.
A majority of the population are Mono Indians. The Sierra Mono Museum in North Fork showcases beautiful Mono Indian basketry as a peek into the town’s past.
The town hosts the annual North Fork Logger’s Jamboree as well as the Annual Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow.
Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is located in the Sierra National Forest. The route begins in North Fork and meanders through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, ending in Oakhurst off of Highway 41. It takes about 5 hours to drive the complete route, although photo opportunities, a picnic lunch and other rest stops will make this a full day excursion. The Byway is a seasonal adventure. The high country roads can become blocked with snow as early as September, depending on the weather, so be sure to call ahead and check on road conditions before heading out. Information on the Scenic Byway can be obtained from the North Fork Ranger Station 559-877-2218.
North Fork Business Directory
Service |
Business Name |
Phone # |
Antiques |
Stage Stop Antiques |
877-2448 |
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Art Galleries |
Burning Brush |
877-4195 |
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Automotive |
Napa Auto Parts |
877-2831 |
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K & B Auto Parts |
877-4919 |
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Barbers/Beauty Salons/Spas |
North Fork Barber Shop |
877-6250 |
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Dorothy's Hair To Please |
877-2767 |
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Hair Care Plus |
877-7750 |
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Churches |
Calvary Chapel of the Sierras |
877-4917 |
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Our Lady of the Sierras-St. Joseph Mission |
642-3452 |
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Grace Community Church |
877-2812 |
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Seventh Day Adventist Church |
877-2968 |
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Jehovah's Witnesses North Fork Kingdom Hall |
877-7036 |
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Hillside Baptist Church |
877-7771 |
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Electrical Contractors |
Carpenter Electric |
877-8695 |
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Offline Independent Energy Systems |
877-7080 |
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Fire Department |
North Fork Fire Department |
877-2600 |
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Glass-Auto & Home |
Ponderosa Glass |
877-7252 |
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Gardeners/Landscaping |
Leaves of Grass Landscape Design |
877-2089 |
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Home Maintenance & Landscaping |
877-7667 |
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Government-State/Fed |
Bass Lake Ranger District Headquarters |
877-2218 |
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Groceries |
North Fork Market |
877-2527 |
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Bass Fork Mini Mart |
877-7799 |
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Hardware |
Ace Hardware |
877-2332 |
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B & B Builders Supply |
877-2512 |
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Hotels/Motels |
South Fork Motel |
877-2237 |
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Insurance |
North Fork Insurance |
877-3733 |
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Library |
North Fork Branch-Madera County Library |
877-2387 |
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Mini Storage |
Affordable Moving & Storage |
877-7696 |
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Bass Fork Mini Storage |
877-7799 |
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North Fork Mini Storage |
877-2314 |
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Painters |
Fuchs & Co Painting & Wallpapering |
877-7087 |
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Pet Services |
Best Friends Pet Grooming |
877-4678 |
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Pest Control |
Central Sierra Pest Control |
877-2072 |
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Plumbers |
Ed The Plumber |
877-2257 |
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Post Office |
North Fork Post Office |
877-2220 |
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Restaurants |
Buckhorn Saloon & Restaurant |
877-8700 |
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The Pizza Factory |
877-7777 |
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Roadside Service |
Bass Fork Towing |
877-4343 |
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Service Stations-Gas |
Bass Fork Mini Mart |
877-7799 |
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Schools-Public |
North Fork Elementary |
877-2215 |
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Sierra High School |
855-8311 |
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Waste Management |
North Fork Transfer Station |
877-4226 |
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Water Systems/Wells |
A & G Windmiller Pump |
877-4889 |