Almost Busted Residential Stealth Camping 

Living rough back a few decades ago (after a couple deployments), was resting up in a culvert outside this small Wyoming town. Was discovered by a passing cop (who saw my light). I thought that was it. Asked me if I was okay. Said I was. He left. And came back with a thermos of coffee and a couple ham and cheese sandwiches. And sat with me for a while. We talked. He was a Vietnam vet. Not all cops are that good, but some are. Stay safe, Steve.

I once was in a situation where I needed to find a spot to sleep for a night. I approached a police officer and asked if he knew of a place nearby that I could do so. He told me about a good place and told me that he would check up on me through the night so that nobody would bother me. Super kind cop.

Its funny how Steve acts like he's gonna go to prison for life when he thinks he's going to get caught sleeping outside lol

In my Camping with Steve head canon, Steve’s arch nemesis is a mid-level RCMP officer who’s a real hardo. He watches Steve’s stealth camping videos, grinding his teeth and grumbling to himself as he gets angrier and angrier every week. This officer thinks that every view Steve gets is a slap in the face to himself and the entire RCMP. He has a big map of Canada on the wall behind his desk filled with pushpins charting his best guesses as to where Steve has camped so far and where he might go next. Worst of all in the mind of this hardo RCMP Officer is that his superiors have been ignoring his reports on Steve’s stealth camping activities for years now.

I recently lost my wife to covid. Her and I watched you in our trailerhouse every week. Sadly, I am now living in a tent in Michigan and feeling more alone than ever, but, your show has reminded me of her and made me smile tonight... Thank you for that😊.. Have a wonderful Christmas my friend... 🎄...

See, now when you told us about that first date, everyone's gonna want to know how that went down. I guess you just backed into a corner, no hunkering down from this one! :P

Straight lines draw the eye of humans especially when they are parallel to the ground. Straights and 90 degree angles are very rare in nature. Learned this from years of hunting on public lands. Turkey or deer don't care, but make the edge jagged or curved if you don't want to be seen as easily by other "hunters". Also, If your blind edge had been closer to ground level it would helped as well by allowing ground cover to break up the edge. Especially in a high contrast black and white environment.

I don't think many people really realize just how easily sound travels through the woods, especially at night during the winter, when there's no trees and grass rustling to cover it up. If the wind is blowing right, you can easily hear someone talking at a normal volume from a kilometer away. Stay safe, buddy. We don't want the next stealth camping video to be from the inside of a jail cell.

I was homeless years ago. I was not one of these guys who set up on the sidewalk . I would go waaaay back into the bushes and have a super clean stealth camp. Nevertheless it never ceased to amaze me how some A Hole would always find my spot eventually and trash my stuff. One time I was almost starving to death and came back to find some guy trashing all my stuff. I was literally too weak from hunger to fight. He eventually left but I thought he was going to get violent. I even had someone trash my spot on Christmas day once. You will never really understand people until you view them from the bottom of the human heap.

The fact you always convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is just another strong indicator of how considerate you are of your amazing community, domestic and abroad!

Due to my work, I have seen people with active warrants who are less stressed than you are in the woods when you hear something or see someone. I love it. Thank you, Steve.

Bet the cops would let Steve go after an explanation but his anxiety makes these vids even more exciting. 🤣

I mean, there's a really good chance the guy who initially spotted you told his next door neighbor "I know you're going to think I'm nuts, but I think Steve Wallis is hunkering down in my back yard". They grabbed step twos and ran back... But Steve was already gone. With a twinkle in his eye and a slight grin... Steve said "see you on Thursdays my friends" as he sped off in beautiful wife's suv. They came THAT close... Epic Christmas story Steve! ❄💚❤❄

I do not care about the stealth, I just enjoy hanging out. Don't put too much pressure on yourself about these videos, I have seen many RU-vidrs quit doing what they loved because it became an unending task of reaching for the next video. Just do what you enjoy and if you can take us along to share in your joy, well all the better. Merry Christmas!

Oh man. I knew right when you were dropped off that it was very risky. There are always people peeking out their windows and keeping watch in places like that.

I gotta say - as a fan of Steve this was the riskiest of all Steve's videos. I have woods behind my house, and when you're really, really familiar with them you notice even the smallest difference and in the winter even more so. Someone taking out the trash and hearing talking - and the snow makes even the lowest light really bright. Glad it didn't turn out badly. But I also must say - if Steve were to get busted at some spot like behind a road sign or some other "public" place, he really could (and should) play the "I'm a photographer and youtuber who does these things for a living" card and he may well avoid any legal trouble. But this one was dicey from the start..

Wife: “Honey, I think Steve’s stealth camping in our backyard” Husband: (reading newspaper) “Yeah I hear ‘em”

I was homeless in Holland in 2003 for the whole winter, but I did the double sleeping bag method under a set of stairs in minus 20° and if it started raining I had a tarp to cover myself under, and I still went to work gardening every day 🤗 I'm now living in London and watching this in my lovely double bed 🛏 but I've got my window wide open and the lovely cold air is blowing into my room making me feel nostalgic 😁 love your videos Steve, and there's nothing better than sleeping with the cold air swirling around you, have a cracking Christmas and New Year.

this reminds me of when we were kids. at night in the winter we'd sneak around the neighborhood, hiding behind snow drifts and trees.. not doing anything but just trying to hide when a car would come by. i'm sure we were not stealthy AT ALL lol.

I love how Steve's first inclination upon seeing the man with the flashlight is to immediately start making tons of noise and shoving his gear into his bag. Never change, bud!

Only 1 tip on the camo netting: if you can have the netting on the side of the tree you're trying to hide stuff on, then the tree's silhouette won't give it away by suddenly poking out from a white box, at least from that side of the net.

Merry Christmas, Steve, Beautiful Wife, Crazy Neighbour, and Garbage. All the best from Nick's Garage!

Had a similar experience, my young son and I got stuck in a blizzard, no hotels, had to sleep in the van for the night. A very nice cop brought us to a safe spot to park and checked on us several times during the night. Very nice of him.

That person with the flashlight was close. LOL. I was sweating 😅🤣🤣

Seeing Garbage in a warm home with his own mansion makes it all worthwhile. Good on you Steve for giving him a safe place.

Steve not getting busted is good and Steve getting busted could be amusing but Steve almost getting busted and freaking out is GOLD.

Hey Steve, no matter how the video goes its always a pleasure watching, it also makes me more aware of people out there less fortunate and needing some help.

I liked that Steve went from enjoying a step 2 and thinking about ordering food to quickly packing up and sympathizing with the people in the residential area.

Merry Christmas everyone! Time to hunker down and watch some Camping with Steve! 🎄❄🏕

Steve, you are an inspiration. Three and a half years ago I lost my wife, heart failure diagnosed 17 years before but due to a chest infection in late 2017 which made the issue much worse she passed away in June 2018 aged 67..Since then I have suffered with complicated grief, ptsd , anxiety and depression. This year is the fourth Christmas without her, the previous 3 I have put her decorations up but this year I just wasn't feeling it so I haven't bothered. Christmas is on my own but I have a roof and warmth and some food and internet for company..I watch all of your videos, look forward to them every week..Listening to you saying about the homeless and donating to charities , food banks etc reminded me that one year my wife donated so that a homeless person could have a bed for the night, showers, clean clothes, haircut and a warm bed for the night and I thought what could I do, sitting here with very little money I realised I had 2 flasks, a very big one and a smaller one and enough money to buy some biscuits and cheap mince pies. I dug out a couple of jackets and jumpers I no longer wear and went out on the streets. it took a while but eventually I found 3 homeless people that drank all the coffee and took the food and clothing from me and thanked me very much. I was out about 3 hours..I am going to do it again and again. You inspired me to do that Steve, thank you my virtual friend.

I’m a big fan of your camping expeditions… This one had my adrenaline rising as you were packing it up. I started camping as a kid with my family, continued the adventures with my kids as a single parent. Met a guy who liked to camp, and we have gradually gone from sleeping under the starts, tent, and now RV camping. Thank you for the eggnog chat at the end, Garbage, and the explanation of Celsius and Fahrenheit. Peace out.👏🏻

first video I've watched of you steve and let me tell you I've never been more intrigued about a strangers apartment, cat, or glass of eggnog. You've earned my subscription.

Id definitely love to see more of the failed attempts, gives us viewers a better look at what it's actually like trying and failing from time to time 👍

Guy with flashlight, "Man it better be Steve, I've waiting the whole year to meet him!". Steve, your heart is always in the right place like a true Canadian that we are! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe an healthy!

Thank you for your videos Steve! You make this world much better place for so many people. I hope you are allright buddy!

every once in a while its healthy to dip into off topic things like the end of this video. You stay on the main focus on the channel quite well. its like when people order their favorite dish at their favorite restaurant and once in a while try something new but ends up being quite tasty but with your channel, we tried something new and don't regret it.

This one was worth it to see that Steve has his code red scramble-drill protocol up to snuff. Great work Steve. All that training and those stopwatch pack-up reps paid off. Merry Christmas to the entire cast ( including unpaid intern felines), and to the fanbase world-wide. Eat, drink and be merry.

The whole idea behind a stealther is to not get caught. Excellent extraction. Merry Christmas to all.

I love it Steve, anxious, stress, suspicion great video. I'm REALLY GLAD you didn't get caught. Love you and praying for you Steve.

Dude is more than a little anxiety ridden. 99.9% of altercations would be "Hey you're not allowed to be here" followed by "Sorry, I'll pack up right away".

The fact that you took in Garbage the Cat, got him to a vet, and gave him a loving, safe and warm place to live has touched my heart. I am the proud momma to four rescued ladycats myself. Merry Christmas 🎄 to you and Beautiful Wife!! See you next year!!

I still believe its a good strategy to randomly say "Hey Steve. Love the videos" when out and about in most of Canada

COVID has almost killed my spirit but Steve, you have saved me...THANK YOU so much for your videos...I watch them over and over again...I almost feel like I am camping too! Thank you for all your tips and tricks and your FABULOUS camping meals...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU... Wishing you and beautiful wife a very happy new year and I look forward to your next videos

Your videos are helping me get through a really tough time. Thank you Steve.

Dude, us subscribers don't care if you fail, we're here learning with ya. Wanted to state here, your videos got me and my partner through an 11 hour unexpected layover, at the airport yesterday. Just wanted to say thank you for all the hours that went into those videos that kept us entertained and educated. Go ahead and make that patreon, you deserve/have earned every cent you stand to make there. A very Merry Christmas to you, Beautiful wife, and Garbage!

When camping in snowy conditions you need to keep your camp as low profile as possible. Your snow camo blind was too high and had too many straight lines to the horizon. Light displicine is also a must because the least bit of light in clear snow conditions travel a long way and is brighter than spring,summer and fall. Also it seems that sound travels better in snowy nights because the lack of other background noises like bugs, birds and road traffic. I myself am glad that you didn't end up in someone's basement putting lotion on your skin 😉

This was pretty exciting. Glad everything turned out okay and you made a good getaway. Keep up the good work! Love the stealth camping stuff!

You get my like for this video for playing it safe and not risk anything just for views. Well done sir and hope to see more from you :)

These "failures" get my blood pumping SO much. You need to post all the "pre-bust cancelations" because this had me on the edge of my seat, goosebumps on my arms, and the hairs on my neck standing up straight. One man's trash is another man's treasure, and this video was really a gem. Keep it up, dude!

After watching a lot of Steve's videos, I've come to the conclusion camping is illegal in Canada, Steve has warrants or both.

I love this channel man!! Thanks for sharing your random adventures with us!!

*GRAND OPPORTUNITY MISSED!* *I too have practiced stealth/urban camping off & on over the years & have had my share of run-ins with LEOs. I've learned how to get approximately 90% of them to allow me to stay & worst-case scenario only results in 10% of them asking me to leave. I have NEVER received a citation or been arrested. Here's how:* *(There is a LOT of psychology in the following run-on sentences & phrases that have been field tested over the last 23 years so don't re-invent the wheel.)* *1. As you see/hear them approaching take a deep breath, exhale slowly, always have your palms open at shoulder height, & your ID in between your fingers.* *2. As soon as they make contact, SMILE (no I'm not kidding), greet them politely, & offer them your ID instantly & say:* *"My name is (YOUR FULL NAME), (with a slight giggle) I enjoy periodically testing some of my camping equipment close to home because it's just cheaper to do this for only one night than leave town for a few days. Please feel free to run my ID, confirm I have no warrants & I'll be gone in the morning anyway, do you like camping?"* *(Don't move unless they ask you to & listen to what they say.)* *3. If LEO asks you any other questions (interview/interrogation) beyond the topic of camping just repeat a version of the statement above.* *EXAMPLE: "Were you at this store nearby?" "Do you have any drugs, alcohol, or weapons" "May I search you or your stuff?" "Etc"* *YOU: "Like I said sir/ma'am, I'm just camping for fun. If you need me to leave, I'll go home. Do you want me to go now?"* ,--> *IF LEO "Yes. leave": "Thank you, sir/ma'am." NOW SHUT UP, PACK & LEAVE PEACEFULLY! (expect them to watch you leave)* | *IF LEO "No, you can stay": "Thank you, sir/ma'am. Have a good night." NOW SHUT UP!* | *IF LEO persists asking questions: (with confused expression) "You don't suspect a crime, do you?"* | *IF LEO "No/I didn't say that/Have you committed a crime?/Etc".* | *YOU: "Because you don't suspect a crime then I'm free to go, correct?"* '

I was hoping by now people would know that “it’s just Steve filming a stealth video”. Merry Christmas Steve & beautiful wife! Have a very Happy Holiday awesome community!!!💚💚💚

Do you remember building forts as kids and hiding inside them? Steve is the embodiment of that. :)

@Steve Wallis Have you noticed the phenomenon that sound is more crisp and travels faster in cold dense air?...which would make stealth camping in the wintertime more difficult in the way that you'd have to get further away from trails or places where people would frequent. Also, the lack of leaves on the trees allows sound to better propagate and not be dispersed. Would be interested to hear your thoughts! Keep up the Awesome Videos!!!😁👍🏻

Came from Joe's video, I subbed, I enjoy when I find fellow Canadians with a YT channel, especially when it's people like Joe and you, genuine people. Happy new year

Two things that may be helpful to know: 1) SOME sort of shelter overhead, even if it's just a shower curtain, reflects heat back down to you that would otherwise be radiated off into space. That's why the coldest nights have clear skies - they let the heat radiate away. A white or light colored cover is best, but even sheltering under an evergreen tree will help. 2) If you feed a stray cat, it's yours. It's a law of nature.

I love the urgency Steve has when the situation looks like it might be compromised! The reality is at this point in his YT career he could easily explain what he's doing and back up his story with a successful YT channel. Bumping into Steve during a stealth camp would be like running into Big foot. I love it Steve! You're the best

Steve, I just came across your channel and have now seen at least a dozen of your videos. You are the MAN! Excellent topical entertainment from a very thoughtful guy, and I thank you for your work!

I've had a tough life too buddy, and no one warned our generation, the sheer disproportionate amount of loss we would face in such a short time. I find watching your videos quite relaxing, and I do enjoy your stories, they are therapeutic and reaffirming. Good Luck, Brother.

Thank you Steve for taking time out of your day and uploading this video for all of us a few days before Christmas. We appreciate you! More then you know. Everyone who’s reading this; Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and don’t forget to smile.

It’s not a failed attempt. If you didn’t almost get caught every once in awhile…. It wouldn’t be stealth camping. My only question is why the black clothing if in the white snow?? Love the content!! ❤️

It took me so long to y first and what you were trying to say about beer donations when I finally realized you’d rather have folks donate to charity and be featured on your channel than donate to you. That is the sweetest, most altruistic mindset, it caught me off guard! What a beautiful idea, but I don’t think it’s bad to accept money for what you do yourself! We value what you do for all of us, and that’s one way we can show our appreciation and help you out, and you deserve it! But I admire your choice to divert those donations back into the local communities so much! ❤️ The world would be so much brighter with more folks like you! ❤️

Steve is the real deal. His apartment furniture is camping chairs. He seems like such a nice guy. I enjoy your channel, Steve!

I always wondered how an aborted stealth camp situation would play out. This one was fascinating. Also, you got adopted by that cat. That's just how they operate. Thank you for giving him a good home. My three rescue cats say hello!

Not every camping trip is perfect and I'm glad you show the ones that aren't. Not everything in life is perfect so it's more realistic.

I like how you show the camp equipment & give your thoughts about each thing, what works best, etc. Some things cost a bit. How do people afford things? I've been learning about some of the bush camping using things around you. People NEED choices; 'cause not everyone makes the same amount of money. So, I like how you discuss the different options...it's good!🙂

Steve doesn't realize how much he helps and inspires people, way beyond "camping"!. He recently took time to personally respond via email and talk with me about the current trial in life I'm going through. Steve is one of the rare GOOD ones

Only found this gem of a channel in the last couple of weeks and I've been binge watching ever since. Steve seems like a truly genuine and humble guy and the videos are so wholesome, it feels like you're watching your friend. Merry Christmas Steve and here's to many more step twos!🍻

Brilliant, Steve is such a top stealth camper, he ended up stealth camping in the living room and beautiful wife did not even know ! Close call Steve but you survived to stealth another day ! Looking forward to many more adventures in the new year. Thank you, sincerely for all the work and effort you put into these videos. They mean more than you could possibly imagine, and you inspire more than you realise. Merry Christmas

I mean I love all the videos, but the suspense of almost getting caught... I wanna see the other ones! Steve you're amazing

I used to live in Wisconsin where it gets below freezing around 1/4 of the entire year. We moved to East Tennessee because my stepdad drag races, and we have a couple of drag strips near by within a couple of hours away from us. And he recently got a 44 foot enclosed trailer with living quarters, and outlets, A/C, the whole 9 yards. We almost froze in either Ohio, or another state when it got freezing, and luckily, we had driven 2 cars, so that way we could go into town to get an electric heater to plug into the trailer to heat the trailer up. God Bless y’all, and stay safe out there.

Most people: Wife! there is a stranger in the trees maybe camping or stalking, call the cops! Rest of us: Wife! Steve is out there stealth camping! Invite him inside for a beer!

We really appreciate the risks you take for OUR entertainment. But even more, you're appreciated for the person you are. This world needs more folks like you. Happy Holidays Steve, Beaut Wife, Garbage, and Crazy Neighbor

I was a little late to this one, but i came for the stealth camp and stayed for Steve and Garbage! I already thought Steve was a super cool, nice dude and then to see him with Garbage all tucked up in his kitty castle at the end of the video was heartwarming :)

This is so wholesome. You are an amazing person. God bless your soul

I live in the Seattle area and there is nothing unique about camping in residential areas. If the cops do show up, they will bring resources to make sure you have all the equipment and food you need for the night. Merry Christmas Steve, Beautiful Wife, Garbage, and Crazy Neighbor

Only a matter of time, Steve! The "busted clock" is ticking. Merry Christmas, Steve!

Glad to see Garbage kitty in video with you, on his perch with all the trimmings. 🐈🐱👏👍👍♥️🎄

Steve, that was not a fail. It was pure action and wisdom, continue to have a bless time with your beautiful family. Garbage rocks 😃 😊

Growing up in Michigan, I used to hate what I called “crunchy snow”. Once it gets so cold out that the moisture is gone from the snow and it sounds like walking on styrofoam. I still get goosebumps when I walk in it. I have been in Texas for almost 14 years now so I don’t get to experience it too often anymore.

So happy that you adopted Garbage! And thank you for directing donations to charity efforts. A lot of people in my college town recently lost their homes, so I have been more aware of those kinda issues, so it makes me really happy that you are bringing attention to those issues. Merry Christmas Steve and Company!

Awww. Our buddy. That winter camo looked like underwater coral pattern to me. Maybe someone thought it was a shower curtain? Always enjoy your humour and your love of beautiful wife. May garbage love you up a lot now.

I love your stuff, really makes me feel relaxed watching your content ❤️ thank you

There's almost busted, and then there is this!!! Seemed like a close one. HAPPY HOLIDAYS Steve and Beautiful Wife!!!

Getting out of there was almost certainly the smart move. Flashlight dude was unquestionably looking for you, and it is probably enough, seeing that, to think it is not worth the risk if that cop car you passed on the way out. It was still some good drama seeing the set up and tear down, so I think you accomplished your usual mission of making a good stealth camping video, even if you only barely got to the camping part. Also, it is kinda ballsy to try it near residential areas to begin with. I know you usually have good luck on that front, but that will have to run out eventually. I'm still waiting for you to revisit the culvert idea. I know the last one was a disaster, but now that you know what to expect, perhaps you can mitigate some of the issues you found in that big steel tunnel. Maybe going and getting some moving blankets/furniture pads and hauling those there, to act as walls held up by neodymium magnets to stop the wind tunnel effect, and if there is room, that cot-tent inside all of that to try to stop the metal from absorbing all the ambient heat, is something you could try. I likewise think it would be cool to see you buy some ad time on one of those billboards, with your face on it asking people to donate to charities, while you camp behind it and film a video. You'd be doing some good charity stuff and spreading out good cheer and the spirit of giving, all while creating your own version of a Steveception.

this is my top 3 of your favorite videos. my anxiety just watching while you were packing up quickly was insane

Great video either way, props for uploading even when unsuccessful, the setup looked great and i think you made all the right decisions.

Steve, videos like this are just fine. Honestly you just sitting there and talking about camping, or anything really, is good for me!

Merry Christmas everyone, step 2’s all round!

"A Cat Named Garbage" would make an excellent name and theme for a children's book

As always, thanks for what you do. I really enjoy your videos.

This is WILD! You all want to know why Steve’s channel is the best? He has a whole variety of videos. For example: last weeks video I have never laughed harder And this week It was an adrenaline rush. This seemed to scare Steve more than that time that you were filming in the woods and a security construction truck practically saw you and it scared you shitless. Stay safe Steve!!!

The adrenaline rush from the suspense of getting caught stealth camping is worth it . The looks you got from the lady walking the dog near the end must have been priceless.

Steve.... loved the video. Nice job. Almost as good as the "roundabout" camp. Love the suspense!! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.... Ax

Love your tales of stealth camping. Just had infusion today for my cancer. Couldn't wait to get home and watch your videos

I was thinking you'd unpack and stay after things quieted down and the people went back home. My heart was racing and you had me on the edge of my seat, when you took off in such a hurry. I can't lie, I was relieved to see you back home safe and sound. Sleeping under the stars in those conditions really freaks me out. I've had frost bite a number of times and its no fun being that cold.

No apologies necessary holmes. That was intense. And you've kept us in tune for these moments.. Spectacular getaway Batman.

I’m just here to say how much I love your videos and glad I found your channel thanks for awesome content!

Thank you Steve for your content Please take your time in coming back🙏🏻. I can't wait to see you again.