In this study we investigated the spatial-temporal dynamics and trends of vegetation and its association with changes in various hydrological factors in the North China Plain between 2002 and 2016, by combining the MODIS enhanced vegetation index (EVI) with precipitation, GRACE gravity satellite terrestrial water storage (TWS), groundwater, and soil moisture. Our results showed that:(1) from 2002 to 2016, the vegetation of the North China Plain exhibited an increasing trend, whereas there was a decreasing trend in the hydrological factors (TWS, soil moisture, groundwater); (2) being mainly covered by crops, the vegetation in the Huanghuai plain area increased during the study period. However, precipitation, TWS, groundwater, and soil moisture all decreased. Over-exploitation of groundwater to irrigate crops is an important measure to ensure food security in the short term; (3) the contrasting trends in the decreasing vegetation coverage, TWS, soil moisture, and groundwater with increasing precipitation over the urban and rural residential areas in the Yanshan-taihang mountains piedmont plain and Ji-lu-yu low lying plain may be a result of influences from intense human activities; (4) the natural forest and grassland ecosystems located in the Shandong hilly agroforestry region were positively correlated with precipitation during the study period, both showing decreasing trends. Results from this research will generate a better understanding of vegetation dynamics in different ecological environments and its response mechanisms to changes of different hydrological factors. This will guide the design of rational water-use strategies for a changing climate and increasing anthropological activities.