In California, occurs in the Great Basin regions of northern Inyo Co., Mono Co., and the eastern parts of Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, and Modoc cos.
Populations fluctuate, but generally are highest in sagebrush, bitterbrush, and low sage habitats.
This herbivore feeds on the flowers and leaves of virtually any available green plants. Food plants include a number of grasses, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and a variety of forbs. In winter, sagebrush leaves and cambium are the most important foods. Sagebrush voles commonly forage under the canopy of shrubs and under grass cover. They also climb in shrubs to feed.