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.
Hurricane Bluff Trail Guide
Hurricane Bluff Trail GuideHave you hiked the Hurricane Bluff Trail near High Knob in the Shawnee National Forest, yet? It’s a great 4ish-mile loop with plenty to see along the way and not too rugged. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking...
How to Avoid Getting Lost While Hiking in the Shawnee National Forest
How to Avoid Getting Lost While Hiking in the Shawnee National ForestYou’ll likely want to avoid getting lost while hiking in the Shawnee National Forest because even though the Shawnee is small, there are rolling hills, a lack of good drinking water resources, and...
Pea Gravel Overlook Trail Guide
Pea Gravel Overlook Trail GuideIf you’re looking for a fun backpacking adventure, then let me suggest the Pea Gravel Overlook near Garden of the Gods, In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to and backpacking at the Pea Gravel Overlook in...
Day Hike Packing List for the Shawnee National Forest (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
Day Hike Packing List for the Shawnee National Forest (Beginner-Friendly Guide)Are you looking for a day hike packing list that’s beginner-friendly and specific to the Shawnee National Forest? Most hiking gear pack lists are typically overkill. Southern Illinois is...
10 Mistakes Beginner Hikers Make in Southern Illinois
10 Mistakes Beginner Hikers Make in Southern IllinoisThere are a few mistakes beginner hikers make when they’re hiking in Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois hiking trails look pretty easy. Until they’re not. There are bluffs, ridgelines, rolling hills, humid...
How to Hike Comfortably When You Sweat a Lot
How to Hike Comfortably When You Sweat a LotHaving the goal to hike comfortably when you sweat a lot is pretty understandable. I’m 6’5” tall, and I weigh 250 pounds. Needless to say, I sweat a lot when I hike. I have a lot of experience in being uncomfortable due to a...
10 Things Hikers Often Forget to Pack
10 Things Hikers Often Forget to PackThere are many things hikers often forget to pack, just because it’s easy to forget them. Trust me, I’ve been there many times. The forgotten items are usually obvious things like water bottles and boots, too. In this article, I’m...
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Guide
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail GuideArrow Wood Interpretive Trail is a 0.37-mile lollipop loop trail located within the Giant City State Park near Makanda, Illinois. In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail...
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review: Is This Two-Person Camping Hammock Worth It?Have you heard of the Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl hammock before? If you’re looking for a good backpacking hammock, this review is for you. I’ve been using the Wise Owl Outfitters...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hurricane Bluff Trail Guide
Hurricane Bluff Trail GuideHave you hiked the Hurricane Bluff Trail near High Knob in the Shawnee National Forest, yet? It’s a great 4ish-mile loop with plenty to see along the way and not too rugged. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking...
Pea Gravel Overlook Trail Guide
Pea Gravel Overlook Trail GuideIf you’re looking for a fun backpacking adventure, then let me suggest the Pea Gravel Overlook near Garden of the Gods, In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to and backpacking at the Pea Gravel Overlook in...
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Guide
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail GuideArrow Wood Interpretive Trail is a 0.37-mile lollipop loop trail located within the Giant City State Park near Makanda, Illinois. In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review: Is This Two-Person Camping Hammock Worth It?Have you heard of the Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl hammock before? If you’re looking for a good backpacking hammock, this review is for you. I’ve been using the Wise Owl Outfitters...
Baleaf Rain Jacket Review: Is This Budget Rain Shell Worth It for Hiking?
Baleaf Rain Jacket Review: Is This Budget Rain Shell Worth It for Hiking?The Baleaf Rain Jacket is a high-visibility rain jacket that can be used for hiking, trail running, cycling, and most outdoor activities. I have used this rain jacket for both hiking and cycling...
Janji Trail Half Tights Review for Hiking and Trail Running
Janji Trail Half Tights Review for Hiking and Trail RunningI’ve been wearing the Janji Trail Half Tights for hiking and trail running for a little over a year now. The Janji shorts are growing in popularity as a main choice for trail runners and hikers who prefer the...
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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