[3] Cambarus bartonii lives in fast–flowing, cool, rocky streams as well as shallow lakes,[5] and is found in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, and in the United States from Maine to Alabama.

[2] In the south of its range, C. bartonii is restricted to the Appalachian Mountains and their foothills.

[3] Colouration is usually plain dark brown, although mottling is occasionally seen, as is a saddle-shaped marking.

[6] Several subspecies of C. bartonii have been recognised, but it is unclear how advisable this is, and work is ongoing to determine patterns of infraspecific variation.

[7] Cambarus bartonii is included as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.