The Campbell's rattlesnake can be found in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, locally called the Sierra Nevada, in open rocky areas nearby montane forests at middle to high elevations. It likely feeds on small mammals and lizards.

This species was only recently described in 2014 from museum specimens, so we know little about its unique ecology and biology which differs from similar nearby rattlesnake species.

Fun fact: Campbell's rattlesnake is named in honor of Jonathan A. Campbell for his many years of field research on rattlesnakes of the region and for his support to herpetology students of Mexico.