A series of Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared with the impregnation method and characterized by means of the BET specific surface area, X-ray diffraction(XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Laser Raman spectroscopy. The Co/γ-A12O3 catalysts were activated by using H2, 20%CH4/H2 or CH4, respectively. There was no obvious difference between the activities of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst activated by using the different activation methods for methane dry reforming. The catalytic properties of the Co/γ-Al2O3catalysts with different Co loadings were also investigated. The optimized Co loading for the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst pretreated with 20% CH4/H2 is around 12% (mass fraction).