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.
Kinkaid Spillway Trail Guide
Kinkaid Spillway Trail GuideIf you haven’t hiked the Kinkaid Spillway Trail yet, you’re missing out. The Kinkaid Spillway Trail is a moderately rugged out-and-back hike of less than one mile located at the Kinkaid Lake Spillway near the City of Murphysboro, Illinois....
GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?
GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?Are you wondering if the GoPro Hero 12 would make a good camera for hiking vlogs? The quick answer is yes and no. It really depends on what you’re wanting to get out of your videos. The long answer is in this...
How to Start Trail Running in the Shawnee National Forest
How to Start Trail Running in the Shawnee National ForestI recently wrote an article on another blog about why cycling is better than running, but little did I know that a few months later, I would be trail running. I signed up for a half-marathon trail run. I wasn’t...
Victoria Glades Conservation Area Guide
Victoria Glades Conservation Area GuideVictoria Glades Conservation Area is a 2.2-mile hiking loop trail located near De Soto, Missouri. The trail is relatively easy, but some creek crossings, hills, and challenging terrain are part of the hiking experience. In this...
Hughes Mountain Natural Area Guide
Hughes Mountain Natural Area GuideHave you been to Hughes Mountain Natural Area in Irondale, Missouri, yet? This natural area is probably one of my favorite hiking trails in the state of Missouri. It’s managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and features...
A Guide to Summer Hiking in the Shawnee National Forest
A Guide to Summer Hiking in the Shawnee National ForestSummer hiking in the Shawnee National Forest makes for some of the best hiking of the year. Just because it’s hot and humid doesn’t mean you should lock yourself up inside and become a recluse until winter...
Ultimate Review: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote (Men’s Hiking Shoe)
Ultimate Review: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote (Men’s Hiking Shoe)I’m reviewing the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote hiking shoe for those who may be looking for a new hiking or trail running shoe. Although it’s advertised as a hiking shoe, I also use it for trail running....
Big Rocky Hollow Trail Guide
Big Rocky Hollow Trail GuideThe Big Rocky Hollow Trail is also considered the “main waterfall” trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park near Goreville, Illinois. This is an easy trail located within the state park that features multiple waterfalls, bluffs, additional hiking...
Shawnee National Forest for Beginners
Shawnee National Forest for BeginnersThis is your ultimate Shawnee National Forest for beginners guide. The near 300,000-acre Shawnee National Forest spans across most of the southern portion of Illinois. The forest, while large, is perfect for beginners because of...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
One Horse Gap Video Guide
One Horse Gap Video GuideIn this video, we visit the One Horse Gap area of the Shawnee National Forest. We explore One Horse Gap, Rocky Top overlook, and the Story Cemetery, where a Cherokee woman is buried.What You’ll See at One Horse Gap There is a lot to see when...
Camp Cadiz Road Video Guide
Camp Cadiz Road Video GuideWe recently hiked a section of the Camp Cadiz Road near Camp Cadiz. We also hiked along an older historical section of the River to River Trail. We got to see quite a bit on this hike and also face quite a few challenges.What You’ll See...
Wickliffe Mounds Visitor Guide
Wickliffe Mounds Visitor GuideHave you ever heard of the Wickliffe Mounds State Historical Site in Wickliffe, Kentucky? This is a beautiful Kentucky State Historical Site to add to your bucket list. Not only will you get to see ancient Native American mounds,...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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