We talk a lot about dogs here at the park. We’ve even got a Bark Park for them. But you’d be surprised how many folks roll in with a cat curled up somewhere in the rig — on the dash, tucked into a bunk, or wedged behind a pillow like they’ve been living there for years. Some of them have.

Camping with cats isn’t nearly as unusual as people think, and when it works, it really works. But it takes a different kind of preparation than bringing a dog along. Cats are creatures of habit, and an RV changes just about everything they rely on — the smells, the sounds, the familiar corners, the window views. Help them adjust to that, and most cats settle in beautifully. Skip that prep, and travel days can be miserable for everyone involved.

Here’s what I’ve learned from watching cat owners come through the park, and what I’d tell anyone thinking about bringing their cat along for the first time.

First, Be Honest About Your Cat

Not every cat is cut out for RV travel, and that’s okay. Before you commit to a long trip, think about how your cat already handles change.

Does your cat recover quickly after a trip to the vet, or do they hide for the rest of the day? Do they explore new spaces with curiosity, or do they freeze and panic? Do they settle down in the car after a few minutes, or does every ride involve nonstop crying and drooling?

None of those things automatically rule out RV travel, but they tell you how much preparation your cat is going to need. A cat that bounces back quickly from small disruptions is going to adjust to campground life a lot faster than one that shuts down every time the routine shifts.

Let the RV Be Old News Before You Travel

The biggest mistake I see people make is treating the first trip as the introduction. Your cat should already feel comfortable in the RV before you go anywhere.

While the rig is parked, let your cat spend time inside — exploring, sniffing, eating a few meals in there. Sit with them, close the door for a bit, let the space become familiar. By the time you pull out of the driveway, the RV shouldn’t feel like a strange new place. It should feel like somewhere they’ve already decided is theirs.

This one step makes a bigger difference than almost anything else, and it costs nothing but a little time.

The Litter Box Deserves Real Thought

In an RV, litter box placement matters more than most people expect. The space is small, smells build faster, and if the box is in a bad spot — too exposed, too noisy, too close to food — some cats will just stop using it.

Good spots I’ve seen work well: the bathroom floor, the shower pan while parked, or a low-traffic corner near a vent. The goal is somewhere stable, a little private, and easy for you to access and clean regularly. Scoop often — you’ll notice odors faster in a small rig than you would at home.

If you’re towing a travel trailer, remember your cat won’t have access to the litter box while you’re driving. Plan your travel day around that, especially on longer hauls.

Check the RV for Hidden Hazards Before Your Cat Explores

Cats are going to find every hidden space in your rig, and some of them aren’t safe. Before your cat has free run of the RV, do a slow walkthrough with fresh eyes.

Look for openings behind or beneath cabinets that could lead into wall cavities or mechanical spaces. Check window screens — a cat that pushes against a loose screen can go right through it. Make sure cords and chargers are out of reach. Remove any houseplants that are toxic to cats (there are more of them than most people realize). And before you ever operate your slideouts after arriving at a site, locate your cat first — they have a way of hiding in exactly the wrong spot at exactly the wrong time.

The ASPCA’s toxic plant database is worth bookmarking if you keep plants in your rig.

Travel Days Are the Hardest Part — Make Them Shorter

Most cats who struggle with RV travel are really struggling with travel days specifically. Once the rig is parked and things settle down, they’re fine. It’s the motion, the engine noise, and the unfamiliar vibration that gets them.

A secured carrier is the safest way for a cat to ride while the vehicle is moving — it prevents them from hiding somewhere dangerous and gives nervous cats a smaller, more enclosed space to settle into. Line it with something that smells like home, and tuck it somewhere it won’t slide around.

Keep travel days as short as you reasonably can while your cat is adjusting. A few hours is a lot easier than eight. And if your cat shows signs of real motion sickness — drooling, vomiting, panting — that’s worth a conversation with your vet before your next trip.

Arriving at the Campground Is a High-Risk Moment

This is when escapes happen, and I’ve heard enough stories to take it seriously. You’re opening doors, running slideouts, connecting utilities, moving gear — and your cat is dealing with a wall of new smells, strange sounds, and dogs walking by just outside.

Before setup begins, get your cat somewhere secure — inside a carrier, or behind a closed interior door. Don’t let them free roam while you’re going in and out. That combination of an open door and an overwhelmed cat is how people spend the first evening of their trip searching the campground with a flashlight.

Once everything’s settled and the doors are staying closed, give your cat time to adjust before expecting them to act normal. Some cats explore within an hour. Others stay tucked away for the rest of the day. Both are fine.

Keeping Things Predictable Makes All the Difference

Once you’re parked and settled in — and out here at Grand Lake, that usually means under some good shade with a breeze coming off the water — the goal is to keep your cat’s routine as steady as possible.

Same feeding time. Same litter box location. Same sleeping spot. In a small space, small changes feel bigger than they do at home. Moving the food bowl to a different corner every day or shifting where the litter box sits can unsettle a cat that was otherwise adjusting well.

Give them a spot that’s clearly theirs — a carrier left open with familiar bedding, a window perch, a corner with their blanket — and leave it there. That consistency is what eventually makes the RV feel like home instead of like a temporary inconvenience.

Outside Time Needs to Be Managed

Grand Lake is beautiful, and I completely understand wanting your cat to enjoy it with you. But free roaming around a campsite is risky, even for cats that seem calm and stay close at home.

New environments change how cats react. A cat that’s reliable in your backyard can bolt when a dog walks by or a truck backfires. Under a rig or into the brush, they can disappear fast.

If your cat does well on a harness, a leash and a good fitting harness is a safe way to give them some outdoor time. Test the harness at home first — make sure they can’t back out of it — and let them adjust to wearing it before you add the noise and activity of a campground.

For cats who want fresh air but aren’t great leash candidates, a pop-up cat enclosure is a simple solution that a lot of RVers swear by. It gives them outdoor sights and smells without the risk of wandering. Petco has a solid roundup of outdoor cat enclosures worth looking at if that appeals to you.

A Few Things Worth Having on Hand

Before any trip with a cat, make sure you’ve got these basics covered:

• More food, litter, and any medications than you think you’ll need — rural campgrounds aren’t always near a pet store
• A current photo of your cat on your phone
• Your vet’s contact information and vaccination records — digital copies travel better
• Enzyme cleaner and paper towels within reach, not buried under gear
• A way to monitor RV temperature if you ever leave your cat inside alone — heat builds fast in a parked rig

If you’re planning extended travel, it’s worth looking into tele-vet options that can connect you with a veterinarian remotely. That kind of access matters when you’re somewhere remote and your usual vet is three states away. The American Veterinary Medical Association is a good starting point for finding accredited telehealth options.

Cats and Grand Lake Go Together Better Than You’d Think

I’ll be honest — before I started seeing how many guests travel with cats, I wouldn’t have guessed it worked this well. But the ones who’ve done the preparation, set up the right way, and given their cats time to settle in? They’re some of the most relaxed campers at the park. Their cat is in the window watching the birds, they’re out under the awning with a drink, and everybody’s happy.

That’s kind of the whole point of being here.

If you’re planning a trip and thinking about bringing your cat along, take a look at our amenities page to get a feel for the park — and if an extended stay sounds appealing while your cat gets comfortable with RV life, our monthly rates are worth a look. We’d love to have you both.

Author: Darin Berryhill