county, west-central Nevada, U.S., on the California border (southwest). It consists mostly of arid mountains (including the Wassuk Range and the Excelsior Mountains) and valleys, but Walker Lake lies in the west-central part of the county and part of Toiyabe National Forest in the south. The large Walker River Indian Reservation is in the northwest. The county was formed in 1911, and the county seat is Hawthorne.

The economy depends on gold and silver mining and various military- and government-related activities. Area 3,757 square miles (9,730 square km). Pop. (2000) 5,071; (2007 est.) 4,706.