Attachment of Escherichia coli to soil particles influences bacteria transport to water sources. Nontoxigenic E. coli are commonly used as indicators for predicting the fate of pathogens and their contamination potential in natural environments. However, few studies have been conducted to compare the attachment of indicator bacteria with pathogenic bacteria in soil environments. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli WH09 attachment to different soils and to assess the effects of soil physicochemical properties on E. coli attachment on soil particles. E. coli O157:H7 cell surfaces in tested soil suspensions were much less negatively charged and more hydrophobic than E. coli WH09, which resulted in greater amounts of E. coli O157:H7 attachment to soil particles. Pearson correlation analysis between partition coefficient (Kd) and soil properties showed the attachment of E. coli O157:H7 to soil particles was negatively correlated with organic matter (OM) of soils (p < 0.01); however, E. coli WH09 attachment was positively correlated with soil solution electrical conductivity (EC) (p < 0.01). Partial correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested OM and clay content (CC) were the dominant factors (p < 0.01) impacting E. coli O157:H7 attachment. However, EC was the sole significant factor (p < 0.01) determining the attachment of E. coli WH09 to soil particles.