Using the monthly temperature and precipitation data from 11 meteorological stations in Baoji area from 1974 to 2013, based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and combined with land use/land cover data. The temporal and spatial variation pattern of drought and its response to vegetation cover in the last 40 years were discussed from the angles of drought occurrence frequency, occurrence intensity and correlation with vegetation NDVI. The results showed that the average annual SPEI index of Baoji area decreased by 2.50 percent year, and the drought trend was significantly enhanced. Since the end of 20th century, the average annual drought index in the whole region has shown a marked upward trend, especially in 2007 to 2010 (above the 0.05 critical line). In the past 40 years, the frequency of spring drought has reached 60% and above in 21 years, and more than 90% in 9 years, from 1981 to 1986, the fluctuation was the most severe. The average frequency of drought in autumn was 46.29%, which was the lowest in spring, summer, autumn and winter. From the intensity of drought, the high and low value area of drought intensity per year, spring, summer, autumn, winter and month at six time scales were relatively concentrated. The area with the weakest intensity in autumn was the highest, accounting for 75.47% of the total area. The most serious drought occurred in spring, accounting for 11.90% of the total area. The correlation between drought and vegetation coverage in the whole region was better (all through 0.05 significant levels). The negative correlation between forestland and grassland was the most significant (except summer). In summer, autumn and monthly scale, the correlation between drought and vegetation cover in cultivated land, water area, urban and rural areas is not related to land use type.