It is found in the San Gabriel Mountains, including in Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, as well as historically in lowlands in parts of the Los Angeles Basin.

Glyptostoma gabrielense is native to a narrow strip of the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains about 15 miles (24 km) long near Pasadena, California, where it inhabits riparian canyons and other areas with sufficient seasonal moisture.

[2] Prior to the extensive development and habitat clearing that took place in the lower elevations of the San Gabriel Valley, this species was likely found there as well.

The small range occupied by Glyptostoma gabrielense represents a portion of the California Floristic Province, and as such this species' habitat experiences a Mediterranean climate involving extremely dry summers with almost no precipitation.

Like other Glyptostoma snails, G. gabrielense feeds on decomposing plant material as well as fungi and bacteria involved in the decomposition process.