By Cheri Sicard
Camping often means finding a way to carve out a little peace, even in busy parks. Our favorite oddball RV builder, Steve Wallis, took this to a new level by camping inside a fake bear trap. With a creative, low-key way to claim your space, he shows how a simple illusion can guarantee solitude on a crowded night.
Steve’s shelter started with a basic culvert about four feet wide, painted and pieced together to look like a massive animal trap. From a distance, it’s enough to make anyone think twice about setting up camp nearby.
Materials used included:
- 4’ wide metal culvert
- Plywood, painted matte black, with vent holes
- Metal grates from a fire pit
- Extra steel pieces held on with zip ties
- Reflective tape for a touch of realism
Each design choice worked together to make the trap seem convincing to passing campers, especially those with only a passing knowledge of real bear traps.
Arrival at the campground
Right away, Steve noticed the trap’s effect. As soon as he pulled in, a few heads turned and some campers kept their distance. Parking at just the right angle blocked off his site from curious drivers, persuading them to move on rather than set up in the next spot. The first neighbor who stopped for a chat even asked, “Is there an actual bear in the area?” before promptly moving on. Steve’s setup did exactly what he hoped—no surprise guests in the next site.
Inside the fake bear trap camper
The culvert may have looked rough from the outside, but inside was all about comfort. Steve rolled out a sleeping pad and bag along the curved metal floor. With just the bare essentials for shelter, he created a spot that was quiet, cool, and cozy. Vent holes in the plywood kept the air moving, while the culvert’s white paint helped it stay cool as the morning sun rose. No fuss, just the basics for a solid night’s rest in the woods.
Camping calls for easy meals with minimal gear. Steve kept his dinner prep simple:
- Pound out chicken breasts
- Add a mix of garlic, onion, black pepper, and salt
- Pour on avocado oil and a splash of honey
- Let the chicken chill in a cooler before cooking
He used a waffle iron plugged into a deep-cycle battery and an inverter, adding a waffle for good measure.
Real bears weren’t the only concern. Mosquitoes swarmed, so Steve counted on his Thermacell device. Despite its cost and mystery ingredients, it worked—sending mosquitoes dropping out of the air nearby. He also kept bear spray at hand, just in case a curious animal wandered by expecting bait in the trap. Food cleanup was crucial, too, with Steve pointing out how fast local birds swoop in to steal any unattended scraps.
Interactions with fellow campers
The trick worked: Campers avoided the site next to the trap. Even when a motorcyclist stopped to check things out, the sight of the “bear trap” had him moving on after a short break. The campground stayed quiet, leaving Steve with the privacy he wanted and only distant voices from other campers to fill the night.
With no tent to set up or take down, Steve settled in by the fire. There was a sense of relief as the stress of daily life faded, replaced by the hum of the highway and the occasional sound of other campers. The fake bear trap acted like a shield, offering space and simplicity in an unusual package.
Steve woke to a cool, comfortable shelter—even well into the morning. The white paint on the fake trap made a big difference, keeping things from heating up inside. Packing up was fast; there was no tent to break down, just a quick sweep for trash (and a fresh-smelling outhouse nearby for good measure). Steve made sure to leave the campsite cleaner than he found it.
Was the fake bear trap camper a success?
The fake bear trap did its job, keeping Steve’s campsite free of neighbors and sparking only one curious social media rumor about a bear situation in the area. Steve appreciated the solitude and the fun experiment, finishing his trip with thanks for his followers and an open invite to watch more of his unusual camping adventures.
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RVDT2723
Like sleeping in a coffin. What’s he do if someone sneaks up while he is sleeping and latches his door closed on the outside?
Thank you for calling attention to the video and summarizing it, Cheri! Is an interesting oddity and creative way to get a night’s sleep in a campground. I wonder how well this arrangement would work in the fall with overnight temperatures into the 40s? Would the tube hold his body heat and keep him warm? Would the metal conduct cold and make it no warmer than sleeping in the open? Could be interesting if he revisits this construction in the early (late?) fall, or whenever bears are slipping away to hibernate. Have a great day and safe travels!