Inyo

Inyo County is a county in the eastern portion of California, United States. Covering about 10,000 square miles, it is among the state’s largest counties by land area. The county seat is Independence, and the largest community is Bishop. It borders Nevada to the east and comprises a diverse landscape that includes the Owens Valley, the eastern Sierra Nevada, the Inyo Mountains, and portions of the Mojave Desert.

The county contains parts of Death Valley National Park and the Inyo National Forest, reflecting a wide range of environments from high alpine terrain to arid desert. The Owens Valley in the western part of the county has a long irrigation heritage that supports local agriculture and communities.

As of the 2020 census, Inyo County had about 18,500 residents, resulting in a low population density. The economy relies on tourism and outdoor recreation, agriculture in the Owens Valley, and public-sector employment, with services concentrated in a small number of towns.

Inyo County was established in 1866. The name is linked to the Inyo Mountains and surrounding geography; the precise origin is uncertain and rooted in Native American toponymy. The county is known for its stark landscapes, access to protected areas, and its role as a gateway to the eastern Sierra and desert regions of California.