The Ni/pillared-bentonite catalysts with high BET area were synthesized and used in dry reforming reaction. The effects of different parameters such as calcination temperature, OH-/Al3+ ratio, temperature and time of pillaring process and the content of nickel on the textural and catalytic properties of the synthesized catalysts were studied. The results indicated that the 15 wt% Ni catalyst supported on pillared bentonite prepared under specified conditions (OH-/Al3+= 2.2, pillaring temperature of 40 degrees C and pillaring time of 3 h) possessed the highest BET area (90.80 m(2)/g). Also, this catalyst possessed higher catalytic activity and stability with lower amount of deposited carbon in comparison to other prepared catalysts in methane reforming with CO2. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.