Bristly Sarsaparilla is found across the northeastern part of North America, from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland in the north to Minnesota, Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina in the south. It is a fairly common plant throughout most of its range. Although bristly Sarsaparilla is not listed on any state or national noxious weeds lists, the fact that it grows in man-made and disturbed habitats such as roadsides, railroad sides, and abandoned gravel pits often leads to its characterization as a weed. Bristly Sarsaparilla will also readily grow in burned forests, where it proliferates and dominates until the trees grow big enough to cast shade on the shrubs. This is a natural process that doesn't require weed control.