Hiking with Shawn - Shawnee National Forest Hiking & Outdoor Resources

Hiking with Shawn - Shawnee National Forest Hiking

Hiking with Shawn welcomes you!

The website is your all-in-one stop for Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois State Park information, trail guides, helpful articles, videos, photos, maps, and so much more. While you visit the Shawnee National Forest, be sure to check out all the great local shopping, dining, lodging, and communities Around the Shawnee for an even better experience.

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My Latest Trail Guides

Enjoy my latest Trail Guides which are all free to you. See My Trail Guides page for a list of all 50+ Trail Guides!

Millstone Lake Guide – Shawnee National Forest

Millstone Lake Guide Shawnee National Forest From the Hiking with Shawn Trail Guide SeriesMillstone Lake is a lake located in rural Pope County near the Village of Simpson, Illinois. The lake is about...

Hotel California Trail Guide – Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Hotel California Trail Guide Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Hotel California Trail consists of old logging roads that lead to a former homesite structure that is now infamously used as a...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Trail 001T Cove Hollow

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Trail 001T Cove HollowTrail 001T Cove Hollow is a spectacular trail. Most people refer to Cove Hollow as being a trail connected onto Cedar Lake on the west side of the...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian Kitchen

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian KitchenIndian Kitchen is a popular gem in the middle of the Lusk Creek Wilderness that is favored by both hikers and equestrians, alike. Indian Kitchen has so...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek Loop

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek LoopMax Creek is an interesting hike for different reasons. Max Creek, the actual creek itself is very scenic and provides a nice view. The trail offers...

Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine Hills

Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine HillsLaRue Pine Hills is one of my favorite areas to visit throughout all the seasons of the year but especially during the spring and during the...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Big H

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Big HBig H or H-Rock is a natural window/arch feature located in Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area in the Shawnee National Forest. There is a nice 6.3-mile loop...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cedar Creek Wonders

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cedar Creek WondersCedar Creek Wonders is a uniquely presented feature of the Shawnee National Forest located in the more middle section of the Shawnee Purchase Unit....

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cave-In-Rock State Park

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cave-In-Rock State ParkCave-In-Rock State Park is a history-rich state park located on the southern Illinois side of the Ohio River. The area has a history for being a...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Horse Creek Trail

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Horse Creek TrailHorse Creek Trail is a moderately rugged 5.7-mile loop trail located near McClure, Illinois in Alexander County. This trail is a part of the Shawnee...

My Latest Blog Posts

Check out My Latest Blog Post for cool Top 10 articles, hidden gems and reviews. See My Full Blog for more!

10 Shawnee National Forest Cabins for a Unique Experience

10 Shawnee National Forest Cabins for a Unique ExperienceShawnee National Forest cabins are everywhere in southern Illinois. If you want a unique experience in the Shawnee National Forest, cabins are a great...

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Towns to Visit in Southern Illinois

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Towns to Visit in Southern IllinoisShawnee National Forest towns are all a part of the Southern Illinois experience. While visiting the Shawnee, you will want to include visits...

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Waterfalls that are a Must See

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Waterfalls that are a Must SeeShawnee National Forest waterfalls are some of the best waterfalls in the Midwest. The ancient oceans that once reached the southern tip of what we...

Hiking with Shawn Rewind 2021: A Look Back and a Look Forward.

Hiking with Shawn Rewind 2021: A Look Back and a Look Forward.Before we get into the Hiking with Shawn Rewind, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year and I hope 2022 is better for all of us humans, we...

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Handicap Accessible Trails in Southern Illinois

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Handicap Accessible Trails in Southern IllinoisHere are my top 10 Shawnee National Forest Handicap Accessible Trails in Southern Illinois. I write and make videos all the time...

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Hiking Trails

Top 10 Shawnee National Forest Hiking TrailsThere are quite a few Shawnee National Forest hiking trails scattered across southern Illinois. One of the most difficult things about Shawnee National Forest...

Bushwhacking Off Trail: How to Effectively Hike Off Trail

Bushwhacking Off Trail: How to Effectively Hike Off TrailBushwhacking might sound a little taboo. Many folks are against bushwhacking off trail for a number of reason. One particular reason is ecology because...

Hiking Gift Ideas for the Holidays that are under $50.00

Hiking Gift Ideas for the Holidays that are under $50.00Hiking gift ideas are on a lot of our minds. There are a few different holidays coming up that involve a gifting exchange. Hiking gift ideas help allow...

Apps Hiking with Shawn Uses

Apps Hiking with Shawn UsesHowdy Patreon Supporters! In this exclusive Patreon-member only article, I’ll be going over each of the apps Hiking with Shawn uses on my phone and what I use it for. This will be...

Hiking with Shawn Anniversary: 5 Years of Bluffage topped with Awesome Sauce!

Hiking with Shawn Anniversary: 5 Years of Bluffage topped with Awesome Sauce!A big Hiking with Shawn Anniversary is happening this month. This Hiking with Shawn anniversary celebrates 5 years of being in...

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SHAWN GOSSMAN

SHAWN GOSSMAN

Founder, Hiking with Shawn

Howdy folks! My name is Shawn Gossman and I founded Hiking with Shawn. I’m an avid hiker, cyclist and outdoorsman here in the Shawnee National Forest. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois and never want to leave. I hope you enjoy my website and I encourage you to interact with me!

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