thumb|Bonanza-Empire Chief mine and mill, on the [[Alpine Loop National Scenic Back Country Byway|Alpine Loop. The mill ruins were stabilized in 2000 by the Bureau of Land Management and Hinsdale County Historical Society. In 2007–2008, the mill ruins were demolished by an avalanche.]]
Hinsdale County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 788, making it the second least-populous county in Colorado. With a population density of only , it is also the least-densely populated county in Colorado. The county seat and only incorporated municipality in the county is Lake City. The county is named for George A. Hinsdale, a prominent pioneer and former Lieut. Governor of Colorado Territory.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water.
Hinsdale County is one of the most remote counties in Colorado and the United States. The county is covered by mountains, including multiple fourteeners, and contains one of the largest roadless areas in the country. The continental divide crosses the county twice. Most of the county is divided among several different national forests and the Weminuche Wilderness area. The county is 96.5% public lands.
Adjacent counties
- Gunnison – north
- Saguache – northeast
- Mineral – east
- Archuleta – south
- La Plata – southwest
- San Juan – west
- Ouray – northwest