It was named for James A. Garfield, the twentieth President of the United States, who had died six months earlier.

[4] The Colorado River, flowing southwestward through a deep gorge, forms the eastern boundary.

A large portion of Capitol Reef National Park lies in the east-central part of the county.

A very small part of Canyonlands National Park lies in the northeast corner of the county.

The terrain of Garfield County is arid, rough, and carved with erosion.

[8] It is the fifth-largest county in Utah by area, and is about the same size as the state of Connecticut.

In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).