Abstract: 【Objectives】 To explore the distribution characteristics of cadmium in the yellow soil section of sandstone and shale in Mao Lan Karst Forest, and provide a scientific basis for the safe use of land in the national natural protected areas. 【Methods】 5 soil samples of yellow soil section of sandstone and shale and 15 topsoil samples in the natural protected areas were collected, and the collected soil samples of the soil generation layer and the topsoil samples of cadmium occurrence were analyzed. Soil pH value, soil available phosphorus (AP), soil alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), and soil organic matter (SOM) were measured. 【Results】 The potential migration index showed that the lower the soil layer, the weaker the cadmium migration. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that cadmium migrated easily in the humus layer and accumulated in the eluvial layer and illuvial layer, which was mainly affected by pH value. In addition, the characteristics of rainfall and the high geochemical background value of cadmium showed great influence on the distribution characteristics of cadmium content in yellow soil profile. The geological accumulation index showed that the surface soil was mainly lightly and moderately polluted. The single factor index showed that the surface soil was mainly slightly, lightly, and moderately polluted. 【Conclusions】 Cadmium content in the yellow soil profile was high in the middle and low at both ends, which was mainly related to the local climate characteristics, high geochemical background value, and plant growth process.