The larval period of the three-lined salamander was studied over an elevational gradient in the Chattooga River watershed of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Hatching, in late winter and early spring, occurred earlier at lower elevations of the watershed. Most larvae in populations at lower elevations metamorphosed in the first year, 5–6 mo after hatching, whereas those in higher elevation populations overwintered and metamorphosed early in their second year after a 14–15 mo larval period. Contrary to expectation, we found no definitive evidence that this difference stemmed from variation in first-year larval growth. Moreover, the larval habitats (bogs, pools along sluggish streams) showed no variation in temperature associated with elevation. However, mid to late summer drying occurred in both lower elevation habitats, but not in either higher site. We propose that the observed variation in larval period reflected the norm of reaction of Eurycea guttolineata to the degree of permanency of larval habitats.