Sheridan county is located in the Lakes and Gardens Region with McClusky serving as the county seat. The county population on July 1, 1999, was 1,665, a decrease of 483 over the 1990 census.

A group of pothole lakes, including Krueger Lake, are situated in the northwest corner of the county. The largest of the county's lakes, Sheyenne Lake, is located to the east while smaller James Lake is in the southwest.

One important waterway passing through Sheridan county is the McCluskey Canal which connects Lake Sakakawea with the Sheyenne River and eventually with the Red River of the North.