Bottineau County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,379. Its county seat is Bottineau. The Territorial legislature identified Bottineau as one of the original counties of the territory. on January 4, 1873. Its organization was effected on July 17, 1884. It is named for Pierre Bottineau, a Métis pioneer, hunter, and trapper who became a successful land speculator. Bottineau is well known for its winter park, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.