Hiking with Shawn Blog

Welcome to the Hiking with Shawn Blog! You can expect weekly blog posts featuring hiking, camping, cycling, and kayaking tips. I also post trail guides around Southern Illinois and beyond. You’ll also find gear reviews on the Hiking with Shawn Blog, as well.

Latest from the Hiking with Shawn Blog

The Hiking with Shawn Blog will feature one post a week featuring outdoor recreation tips, trail guides, and gear reviews.

How to Read Winter Animal Tracks on Your Hike

How to Read Winter Animal Tracks on Your Hike

How to Read Winter Animal Tracks on Your HikeHave you ever wanted to learn how to read winter animal tracks on your hike? Winter gives you the perfect opportunity to discover a story being created in the snow. The story is by all the critters in the area living in...

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin Video

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin Video

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin VideoIn this video, we are staying at Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin located near Stonefort, Illinois. This is a fun Airbnb that offers a true nature experience.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can expect to see on the Cedar Pond...

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration Video

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration Video

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration VideoThis video contains several trips to LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road during the 2025 fall migration season. Each year, in the spring and in the fall, we visit this road to watch the migration of snakes and other wildlife.What You’ll See...

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Guide

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Guide

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail GuidePickle Springs Natural Area is a short but very scenic trail with a lot to see, located near Farmington, Missouri. This is a loop trail consisting of around 2 miles. The trail is moderately difficult with some rolling hills,...

Stoneface Trail Video Guide

Stoneface Trail Video Guide

Stoneface Trail Video GuideIn this video, we visit the Stoneface Trail in the Fall. Stoneface is located around Eagle Mountain in the Shawnee National Forest, and while we love visiting when it’s covered in snow more than any other time, visiting during fall colors...

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail RunningThe Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are insulated tights that wick moisture, made for outdoor and athletic activities, and are often used by many athletes. I use them myself for hiking and trail running. I’ll...

How to Take Better Hiking Pictures in the Snow

How to Take Better Hiking Pictures in the Snow

How to Take Better Hiking Pictures in the SnowAre you looking to take better hiking pictures in the snow? It’s winter. You’re a hiker. You like taking pictures of your hikes. Winter landscapes can be perfect for creating stunning photos, but they can be challenging...

Echo Bluff State Park Video Guide

Echo Bluff State Park Video Guide

Echo Bluff State Park Video GuideIn this video, we revisit Echo Bluff State Park near Eminence, Missouri. This is one of our favorite places to visit when we go to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, usually every year. We always feel welcome at Echo Bluff State...

Latest Trail Guides

Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin Video

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin Video

Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin VideoIn this video, we are staying at Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin located near Stonefort, Illinois. This is a fun Airbnb that offers a true nature experience.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can expect to see on the Cedar Pond...

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration Video

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration Video

Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration VideoThis video contains several trips to LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road during the 2025 fall migration season. Each year, in the spring and in the fall, we visit this road to watch the migration of snakes and other wildlife.What You’ll See...

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Guide

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Guide

Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail GuidePickle Springs Natural Area is a short but very scenic trail with a lot to see, located near Farmington, Missouri. This is a loop trail consisting of around 2 miles. The trail is moderately difficult with some rolling hills,...

Latest Gear Reviews

Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail RunningThe Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are insulated tights that wick moisture, made for outdoor and athletic activities, and are often used by many athletes. I use them myself for hiking and trail running. I’ll...

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for Outdoor Adventures

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for Outdoor Adventures

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for Outdoor AdventuresI’ve been using the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for most of the year and, so far, it has been the ultimate outdoor watch. I’m using this watch as my everyday watch, but mainly for...

BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights for Hiking and Trail RunningAre BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights a good option for hiking and trail running? BOA Half Tights are a performance-style compression short from the BOA brand. These shorts are meant to be worn alone and for...

Interested in Writing on the Hiking with Shawn Blog?

I am currently accepting guest contributions from outdoor enthusiasts and local businesses and organizations that are interested in posting on my blog. For the most part, guest posting is free as long as it’s non-commercial in nature. Just to be clear, I do not sell links. While I do accept paid sponsored posts from time to time, I reject around 9 out of 10 of sponsored post requests. If the content isn’t of the highest value to my readers, I will not accept it.

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