thumb|[[Wheeler Peak (Nevada)|Wheeler Peak, elevation , in Great Basin National Park.]]
thumb|upright|Timber Creek in the [[Schell Creek Range ]]
White Pine County is a largely rural, mountain county along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,080. Its county seat is Ely. The name "(Rocky Mountain) white pine" is an old name for the limber pine (Pinus flexilis), a common tree in the county's mountains. The county boasts dark skies, clean air and millions of acres of unspoiled public land. It is the home of Great Basin National Park, one of America's most remote and least visited national parks. It is also home to no less than 14 federally designated wilderness areas, offering an abundance of terrain available to explore for hikers, backpackers, skiers, hunters and anglers. The Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation is located in the county, on the south side of the City of Ely. The reservation has a land area of and a 2000 census official resident population of 133 people.
History
European settlement in White Pine County began with mining exploration, activity generated by the Pony Express Trail (which passes through the county), and farming.
thumb|A [[Pinus flexilis|limber (white) pine tree in Nevada]]
The county was established by the Nevada legislature in 1869 from Lander County and named after the heavy growth of limber pine trees in the area, which were then called white pine. Hamilton was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887, when it was replaced by Ely after a fire.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water.
Several sections of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest exist within the county, within the Snake Range, Egan Range, White Pine Range, Ruby Mountains, and Schell Creek Range. The county also contains Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park and Cave Lake State Park.
In the southeastern part of the county within Great Basin National Park lies Wheeler Peak, the tallest independent mountain within Nevada and the second-highest point within the state (the highest point being Boundary Peak). It is also the most topographically prominent peak in the county and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada (after Mount Charleston).
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Route 6
- 20px U.S. Route 50
- 20px U.S. Route 93
- 20px<br>20px U.S. Route 93 Alternate
- 20px State Route 318
- 20px State Route 487
- 20px State Route 488
- 20px State Route 490
- 20px State Route 892
- 20px State Route 893
- 20px State Route 894
- 20px State Route 895
Wilderness
White Pine County is home to a number of designated wilderness areas. They were created by Congress on December 20, 2006, by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006." About half are integral parts of Humboldt National Forest. The rest are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. One is shared between the two agencies. Some extend into neighboring counties, as indicated.
- Bald Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
- Becky Peak Wilderness (BLM)
- Bristlecone Wilderness (BLM)
- Currant Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
- Goshute Canyon Wilderness (BLM)
- Government Peak Wilderness (BLM)
- High Schells Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
- Highland Ridge Wilderness (BLM)
- Mount Grafton Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV
- Mount Moriah Wilderness (Humboldt NF / BLM)
- Red Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
- Shellback Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
- South Egan Range Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV; Nye County, NV
- White Pine Range Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
Adjacent counties
- Elko County - north
- Tooele County, Utah - northeast/Mountain Time Border
- Juab County, Utah - east/Mountain Time Border
- Millard County, Utah - southeast/Mountain Time Border
- Lincoln County - south
- Nye County - southwest
- Eureka County - west
National protected areas
- Great Basin National Park
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (part)
- Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (part)