It is endemic to Arizona in the US, where it is restricted to Marble Canyon in Coconino County, though its exact distribution is not generally advertised due to poaching concerns.

[3][4][5] It is limited to a specific type of soil, it has a small distribution, and the species is threatened by a number of human activities.

[7] Pediocactus bradyi is native to Coconino County, Arizona, where it thrives on level hills adorned with limestone gravel at altitudes ranging from 900 to 1300 meters.

[5] It grows alongside plants such as shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), and Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis).

[8] This plant was listed as an endangered species because of many threats, including highway construction and maintenance, off-road vehicle use, cattle grazing, and poaching.