G. barbouri is found in rivers located in southeastern Alabama, the western panhandle of Florida, and southwestern Georgia.

[5][6] Owning Barbour's map turtle is illegal in Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama.

Like all map turtles, it is under the protection of the Salmonellosis Four-inch Regulation, disallowing G. barbouri to be sold if it is under the length of 4 in (10 cm).

Adult male Barbour's map turtles are on average 3.5 to 5.5 in (8.9 to 14.0 cm) in straight-line carapace length.

Barbour's map turtle mainly consumes mollusks, insects, and small fish found in rivers.