Bryophytes are widely distributed and constitute an important part in vegetation diversity. More than 20,000 species of bryophytes are found worldwide. Bryophytes play important roles in the ecosystem, particularly in water balance and nutrient accumulation. However, bryophytes are smaller than vascular plants and are often ignored in ecological studies. Spatial patterns of species diversity along the elevation gradient are of great significance in illuminating community ecology. What is the distribution pattern of bryophyte species diversity along an elevation gradient? We do not find the related research in China. The Xiaoqinling National Nature Reserve is located in Lingbao (34°23'-34°31'N, 110°23'-110°44'E, Henan Province, China). This nature reserve covers 31 km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and spreads over a total area of 15,160 km². The reserve harbors the highest peak in Henan, with an elevation of 2413.8 m. The area has rich biological resources with a diverse and complex vegetation composition. We constructed 53 plots in a 400m² area (20 m×20 m) along the altitudinal gradient in Xiaoqinling, collected all bryophyte species encountered in these 53 plots, and recorded habitat types such as ground, tree trunks, roots, and rotten wood. Investigators carefully checked every corner of each plot to collect all bryophyte species growing on the plot. A total of 1378 specimens were collected. All specimens were transported back to the laboratory and identified. The bryophyte community was classified using multiple regression trees. Ordination analysis was conducted by canonical correspondence analysis, and the generalized linear model was used to study the distribution pattern of species diversity along elevation gradients. Results were as follows. (1) The collected 1378 bryophyte specimens belonged to 33 families, 89 genera, and 240 species, including 226 species of mosses and 14 species of liverworts. (2) The bryophyte community was divided into four categories by cross validation: I: Brachythecium populeum + Plagiomnium succulentum + Plagiomnium vesicatum; Ⅱ: Brachythecium albicans + Brachythecium curtum + Thuidium kanedae + Mnium laevinerve; Ⅲ: Thuidium kanedae + Jungermannia leiantha + Leskea polycarpa + Trachyphyllum inflexum; IV: Brachythecium curtum + Plagiothecium nemorale + Plagiomnium integrum. (3) The interpretation of the elevation, slope, and aspect to the distribution of the bryophyte species was 7.29%. (4) The bryophyte species diversity increased with the increase in altitude. In this study, we examined the species composition, classification, and distribution range along elevation gradients of the bryophyte species in Xiaoqinling. The diversity of the bryophyte species along the altitude showed an increasing tendency and differed from the distribution patterns of trees, shrubs, and herbs. Thus, this study provides a reference for research on bryophyte species coexistence and protection of species diversity. Vascular plants and bryophytes coexist in an ecosystem and the relationship between vascular plants and the bryophyte community is complex. However, we did not consider the effect of vascular plants on the bryophyte community and these factors need further analysis. Environmental factors, such as climatic conditions, physical and chemical properties of bark, and light intensity, must also be considered in future studies.