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.
Hiking with Kids: Kid-Friendly Trails in Southern Illinois State Parks
Hiking with Kids: Family-Friendly Trails in Southern Illinois State ParksHiking with kids in southern Illinois state parks is great for making memories. Whether you're a parent looking for fun outdoor activities, a teacher looking for a hiking field trip, or even a...
Ultimate Bikepacking Gear List: Bikepacking Essentials for Any Trip
Ultimate Bikepacking Gear List: Bikepacking Essentials for Any TripKnowing what bikepacking gear list items you should take on your overnight biking adventure is important. There are many bikepacking essentials that riders typically forget to take, only to regret...
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 Hike in Extreme Heat and Humidity
How to Hike in Extreme Heat and Humidity Would you hike in extreme heat and humidity? Many of you are probably answering with a no. That’s understandable. There are many other things to do around the house on hotter days for many folks. But some of you may need to...
29 Great Hiking Trails in the Shawnee National Forest
29 Great Hiking Trails in the Shawnee National ForestAre you looking for great hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest this season? Lucky for you, there are over 400 miles of hiking trails in southern Illinois in and around the Shawnee National Forest. Whether...
Day Hiking Gear Checklist
Day Hiking Gear ChecklistA day hiking gear checklist will help you ensure that you bring the right gear with you on your daytime hiking trips. It's important to pack the right stuff. When you don't pack the right gear, and when you need it the most, it can ruin your...
101-Mile Bike Ride
101-Mile Bike RideI just recently completed a 101-mile bike ride. I started at Cave-in-Rock Ferry in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. I was supposed to finish the ride at Saint Nicolas Brewing Company’s Landmark in Chester, Illinois. I couldn’t finish the ride in Chester, and...
Kayaking for Beginners: A Guide to Start Kayaking Today
Kayaking for Beginners: A Guide to Start Kayaking TodayWelcome to the kayaking for beginners guide! I wanted to write this guide to help you try kayaking and fall in love with it if it's right for you. Storytime – Up until last year, I was terrified of kayaking. I...
Hiking for Beginners on a Budget
Hiking for Beginners on a BudgetI wanted to create something for hiking for beginners on a budget because not everyone can afford the best hiking gear and take any hiking trip they want. And that's fine. But you should still get out and hike if you can. I actually...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Giant City Stonefort Trail Guide
Giant City Stonefort Trail GuideGiant City Stonefort Trail gives you a glimpse into a period so long ago that we know very little about its history of it. This short but potentially challenging trail features an ancient rock wall made by the very early-period of...
Giant City Nature Trail Guide
Giant City Nature Trail GuideGiant City Nature Trail is one of the most popular trails in Giant City State Park. The Nature Trail is an easy loop hike appropriate for hikers of all ages and difficulties. There is a lot to see along the Giant City Nature Trail that...
Giant City Trillium Trail Guide
Giant City Trillium Trail GuideGiant City Trillium Trail is a popular trail located near Makanda in Southern Illinois. Trillium Trail is a part of Giant City State Park. The trail is also known as Fern Rocks Nature Preserve. As a designated nature preserve, it is...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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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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