The aim of this study was to adopt the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data provided by the Global Inventor Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) of NASA and combine them with the global temperature and precipitation data supplied by the Climatic Research Unit of East Anglia University (CRU) in order to study vegetation coverage patterns in Xinjiang from 1982 to 2013. The linear regression method was used to study the trends of the changes in NDVI in Xinjiang over the last 32 years. The Theil-Sen median slope trend analysis and the Mann-Kendall test were also used to study the patterns and trends of NDVI in Xinjiang. The results of these analyses and of the Hurst index to determine the sustainability characteristics of NDVI patterns in Xinjiang show that (1) from the point of view of spatial distribution, the vegetation cover in the North and the South is significantly different. Coverage in the north is better than that in the south, and that in the northwest is superior to that in the southeast; (2) when viewed over time, the annual mean value of NDVI over the last 32 years in Xinjiang is between 0.10 and 0.12. An observable change in phase exists. (3) The vegetation distribution pattern reveals that 25.89% of the total area of Xinjiang shows a trend towards improvement in vegetation cover. Degradation in the area under vegetation accounts for 18.00% of the total area in Xinjiang. Overall, NDVI trends remain relatively stable in Xinjiang. (4) From the point of sustainability, most of the changes in vegetation cover maintained the development trends that are currently observed, with anti-continuity in some areas. Areas showing a robust trend towards improvement accounted for 24.39% of the total area in Xinjiang, and the areas that continue to degenerate account for 15.73%. Additionally, 59.88% of the total area in Xinjiang is affected by serious degradation of vegetation and uncertain development. Research on the changes in NDVI spatial patterns in Xinjiang has theoretical and practical significance for this arid region.