The Forks Resort

The Forks Resort is a family-owned vacation facility nestled on Bass Lake within the Sierra National Forest, 14 miles from Yosemite National Park's southern entrance and 8 miles from the Golden Chain Highway's southern end. Operating under a U.S. Forest Service special use permit, it has been managed by the same family for four generations. The resort's signature Forks Burger was highlighted by food critic Helen Rosner in The New Yorker as one of the best things she's eaten in the past decade.

The resort operates seasonally, from early spring through early fall.

History
Fred Spenhoff first established The Forks Resort in 1926. The initial setup included four cabins, a general store, and a sawmill. Later, Bob Miller took over the property and constructed a new store building. Unfortunately, a fire in September 1949 destroyed the building. Despite this setback, a larger and more modern structure was built in the following season. The resort has stayed within the family, transitioning from Bob Miller to his daughter Pat and her husband Frank Hopkins, and eventually to their daughter Leslie Cox and her husband Ron.

Before becoming a renowned actor and rodeo performer, Slim Pickens operated a saddle horse and pony ride at The Forks.

Facilities and Services
The Forks Resort includes The Forks Restaurant, known for its Forks Burger and a rustic diner ambiance that includes a soda fountain that opened in 1950. It offers a parking lot for vehicles and a complementary boat dock for guest use.

The resort offers a range of accommodations, including one to three-bedroom cabins, many with lake views. It also provides a variety of recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The resort features a general store and a gas station for guests' convenience, along with additional services like boat and mooring rentals.