[Objective] The spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of surface soil water-holding capacity were explored in a karst forest in order to provide scientific references for improving the water conservation capacity of forest soil in the region. [Methods] The surface soil (0—10 cm) of a primary Maolan karst forest in Guizhou Province was taken as the research object, and the physical structure and water-holding characteristics of soil were measured by the ring knife method and the indoor soaking method. The spatial distribution differences and influencing factors of soil water-holding capacity in different terrain locations were investigated by using variance analysis and RDA analysis. [Results] ① Soil physical characteristics showed high heterogeneity, and soil bulk density, soil water content, porosity, and mechanical composition had significant differences in different slope directions, slope positions and altitudes. ② Soil water retention had the most significant difference in different slope direction, and soil water retention had the most significant difference in different rock exposed grades. The maximum soil water-holding capacity, capillary water-holding capacity, saturated water-holding capacity, and capillary water-holding capacity increased with increasing slope position and elevation, and with decreasing rock exposure grade. The comprehensive water-holding capacity of soil was greater in the area of low exposure and low elevation. ③ Correlation analysis showed that topographic characteristics and soil physical characteristics were more strongly correlated with soil water-holding capacity; stand characteristics were more strongly correlated with water-holding capacity; stand density was significantly negatively correlated with water-holding capacity; and average DBH (diameter at breast height) and average tree height were significantly positively correlated with water-holding capacity. ④ The results of PCA analysis showed that soil water retention was the first main factor to represent the surface soil water retention performance of the Maolan karst forest, and soil water retention rate was the second main factor. The cumulative contribution rate of principal components Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 77.5%. RDA analysis results showed that soil porosity and rock exposure grade were the main factors affecting the water-holding capacity of surface soil in the Maolan karst forest. [Conclusion] The soil water-holding capacity of the Maolan karst forest exhibited high heterogeneity and significant differences among different terrain locations, and non-capillary porosity (P_nc) was the main factor affecting soil water-holding capacity.