Hiking with Shawn – Shawnee National Forest

Learn about everything Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois State Parks on this official Hiking with Shawn website. Find trail guides, blogs, top 10s, gear reviews, and updated conditions for the Shawnee here on Hiking with Shawn. The Shawnee National Forest is a nearly 280,000-acre National Forest located in Southern Illinois.

Hiking with Shawn is an outdoor recreation brand that promotes hiking, biking, and outdoor use centering around the Shawnee National Forest, Southern Illinois state parks, and beyond. This brand was founded by Southern Illinois native and avid outdoorsman Shawn Gossman. Shawn is also a licensed and permitted hiking guide offering guide services in the Shawnee National Forest.

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Hiking with Shawn Trail Guides

Enjoy my latest Trail Guides which are free and updated to help keep you on the trail!

Mill Branch Trail Guide

Mill Branch Trail Guide Mill Branch Trail is one of the most unique hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest. (Moderate – 1.8 miles – Loop)There’s no other trail quite like Mill Branch. This trail can be accessed at Bell Smith Springs in the Shawnee National...

How To Go Caving at Illinois Caverns

How To Go Caving at Illinois CavernsAre you planning to go caving at Illinois Caverns this year? Illinois Caverns recently opened back up to the public a few years ago after being closed to help protect the native bat population from White Nose Syndrome, a disease...

Giant City Road Biking Route Itinerary

Giant City Road Biking Route ItineraryGiant City road biking is great for many different reasons. It’s scenic. It’s great for fitness. It’s lightly trafficked. Your selected road biking route can make or break your cycling adventure. You spent all that money on a road...

Hiking with Shawn Blog

Check out the latest posts from Shawn’s blog!

Hiking Survival Gear List

Hiking Survival Gear List

Hiking Survival Gear ListDo you take the needed hiking survival gear with you? Not having the right gear could result in a very negative hiking experience if things go wrong on the trail. It's better to be prepared than unprepared in any event. This same truth goes...

Limekiln Springs Hike this Saturday

Limekiln Springs Hike this Saturday

Limekiln Springs Hike this SaturdayWhere? Hiking the Limekiln Springs Trail in Ullin, Illinois.   When? Hike starts at 9:00 AM and will go until about 1:00 PM at most on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Meet at Limekiln Springs Trail (West Trailhead). Take Shawnee...

Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?

Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?

Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?You could be making the mistake of carrying too much in your backpack. And that could lead to an array of different problems for you. It can create wear and tear on your backpack. It can cause your hiking gear to become...

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