It rises at Lozier Lake in the Wind River Range, nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, in the Bridger National Forest.

Flowing southwest through a steep and narrow glacial canyon, it comes out of the mountains about 10 miles (16 km) north of Cora, briefly widening into the New Fork Lakes.

From there it swings south then southeast, past Cora and on to Pinedale, receiving Willow, Pine and Pole Creeks from the left.

From the confluence, the New Fork meanders generally southwest between low bluffs, and joins the Green River about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Big Piney.

[3] The New Fork is considered an excellent river for inner-tube floating and canoeing because of its width and strong but not dangerous current.