Abstract: The response of soil characteristics in rhododendron shrubland to different 2-year non-grazing patterns in the Qilian Mountains was studied using soil bulk density and soil moisture characteristics as the main indexes to evaluate herbivore trampling and degraded shrubland recovery. As shrubland soil depth deepened, the soil bulk density increased and soil water content and soil organic matter content reduced. The soils showed obvious heterogeneity; soil bulk density under shrub canopy was less than that under shrub space while soil water content was greater under shrub canopy. The soil bulk density in June was less than those in August and October but soil water content was greater; the soil bulk density showed a very significant negative correlation with soil water content and a positive correlation with soil organic matter. Compared with the traditional shorter summer grazing rest, the non-grazing pattern during the whole growing season had significantly less livestock trampling path features leading to an obvious reduction in soil compaction state, an increase in soil moisture, and an effective improvement of the soil water retaining function. High-intensity grazing in the grass plant withered period also affected the soil conditions for recovery of the rhododendron shrubland. These results confirmed that proper grazing intensity and rest periods should be the main approaches for restoration of degraded alpine rhododendron shrubland.