A Guide to Camping With Cats

“Your cats actually camp?”

Yes, yes they do.

But camping with cats isn't an overnight process, and a cat isn’t going to go from catnip and couches to a tent in the woods without proper training. 

We've been camping with our cats since 2017. We've done tent camping, car camping, truck camper camping, and even backpacking. 

The main question when hiking or camping with cats is a confused ‘how?’. We know it’s not something you see every day. In fact, it’s so uncommon nearly every person you pass will stop in their tracks, gasp, take photos, and ask how in the world a cat is following behind us on a trail. There were many times throughout the first years we had Maverick (orange) and Aspen (black and white) that I thought maybe we just got lucky and that training them was easy. But then, in 2024, we had a new shelter kitty named Tortilla join our family. THREE camping cats? Yeah, now that seemed like an impossible dream. 

But alas, all three travel, explore, camp, and stay with us while camping! And to even our surprise, all do very well off-leash. Here are all my biggest tips for camping with cats. 

How We Started Camping With Cats 

I began fostering a mom and her four kittens in 2017. We traveled far too often, and no matter how badly I wanted a pet, it just wasn’t the time or place. So, instead, I began volunteering at a local animal shelter. I could get my animal snuggles without the long-term commitment.

But alas, two kittens never ended up leaving. We weren’t quite sure how we were going to make it work, but we knew these two cats were far too special to let go.

So Maverick and Aspen’s cuteness and loveable attitude opted them in for a lifetime of adventure. And an adventure it has been.

So, how do you start camping with cats?  It’s a mixture of love, patience, and the appropriate gear. Here are the items I recommend to get started camping with cats:

• Cat harness
• Cat backpack (get one with lots of ventilation and avoid the bubble backpacks)
• Tractive GPS Collar 
• Large travel crate (Big enough to fit the little box)
• Name tag
• Collar
• Collapsable food/water dish

A Guide to Camping With Cats 

1. Don’t throw them into the environment

Cats and dogs are different. Sure, you can one day decide to pack up your pup and drive into the deep woods. They’ll bark, wag their tail, and probably roll in something dead. It’ll be great.

Throw your cat into that environment for the first time and they’ll either refuse to come out of the car, take off into the wilderness, or simply stare at you on the ground with a face of pure rage. Cats can enjoy the outdoors, but they do not enjoy unfamiliar environments if they aren’t accustomed to that lifestyle.

Start small. Spend afternoons in your backyard. Upgrade to repeated walks down the block on a leash or on familiar paths. Take a day hike. Then, when you think they’re ready, head off to camp.

2. Establish your trust level

Hiking with cats is built on trust (or leashes). Just like dogs, you must be certain they won’t run away. It's been years of hiking and camping with cats, and ours no longer use leashes, but you should never take your cat off leash unless you trust them. One of the main ways to build that trust is to establish a safe place. Many times that safe place is either a backpack or a car. When cats have a safe space, when they get scared, instead of taking off, they will run to the safe spot. Sure, our cats have been spooked many times while camping, and we always leave a door or the truck camper open and accessible so they can hop in when needed. 

3. Invest in a cat backpack

I’m sure you’ve seen cat backpacks on social media. But, yes, they are handy for cat camping. Aspen was born with a gimp back leg. He runs sideways (yes, it’s adorable), but he can’t walk for long. Of course, we can’t let his leg stop him from adventuring with us. So we bought a kitty backpack and he rides along.

Even if you don’t have a gimp cat, a backpack is worth the investment. Maverick gets tired around the five-mile mark, so it works perfectly to let him have a turn in it as well.

4. Prepare for dogs

Dogs are a common hazard while hiking with cats, especially unleashed ones. Every time we come across a dog we pick the cats up. 9/10 times there is no issue. But 1/10 times the dog is curious, the owner has no leash (and tries to let their dog smell the cats—horrible decision). I have the scars to prove what those encounters look like.

Over time, I hope our cats will become accustomed to dogs, but for now, they remain mortal enemies.

5. Avoid crowded trails/campsites

At first, Maverick and Aspen would freeze and attempt to run away whenever we encountered people or dogs. It took a few hikes, but they don’t mind anymore. However, hiking on uncrowded trails makes a world of difference.

Both of our cats are like dogs when it comes to food. When we stay in crowded campgrounds, they stay near until the neighbors start roasting hot dogs. Game over.

Loud noises and kids running are two of the biggest scares. Less is, in fact, more when camping with cats.

6. If you can, put your cats in the car overnight

We have one very strict rule when it comes to camping with cats. They are not allowed out after dark. Instead of trying to squeeze them into your tent (they will be annoying, trust me) put them away in the car where they will have easy access to food, water, and a litter box. It will be more comfortable for everyone. To put it simply, put your cat(s) in the car overnight because 

1. 2 people + 2 cats in a 2 person tent = not a pleasant sleep
2. Fewer worries about waking up with cat turds in the tent
3. Darkness arrives with fox, coyotes, and bears
4. They will probably be more comfortable

7. Understand your cat's personality

All three of our cats have been hopping rocks in streams since they were six months old, but they each have very different personalities. 

Maverick can’t get enough of the outdoors. If we’re at a trailhead and we’re taking too long to pack up, he’ll attempt to ditch us and hike with other groups. I wish I was joking.

Aspen is our bougie traveler. He loves king-sized Hilton hotel beds, cabins in the woods, and taking naps in the truck camper. 

Tortilla prefers to hang around camp chasing after grasshoppers or sitting by the fire.

Maverick comes everywhere with us. If we know we will be hiking long distances, Aspen says home. Tortilla is my buddy to go get a pup cup at the local drive-thru. We never force any of the cats to come along on an adventure if we know they won't enjoy it. It's all about understanding their personality and when/where they are comfortable in the outdoors. 

8. Get a tracking collar 

I cannot recommend this one enough. Even if you trust your cat in the outdoors, a tracking collar is the best way to ease any worry and also save stress just in case your cat does get spooked. We use the Tractive GPS collar that you can buy on Amazon. It tells you the exact GPS movement of your cat and you can also setup a virtual fence that alerts you when you cat has left it (aka moved too far away from the campsite). We didn't have a tracking collar for the first few years, and I cannot recommend them enough!

9. Practice recall

Train your cat to have a recall. Our cats get a can of wet cat food every night. The click of the can is their recall at camp. If we ever need them to come back immediately, or if we are trying to put them away for the night, it only takes a few clicks for them to come running. We also never feed them the can and let them back out. Once they eat their dinner, they are inside for the rest of the night.