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.
21 Common Hiking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
21 Common Hiking Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemCommon hiking mistakes can turn an enjoyable outdoor adventure into a stressful or even dangerous experience. Picture yourself lost on a trail, dehydrated, or battling blisters because of poor preparation—these scenarios...
Giant City Gnome Roam 2024
Giant City Gnome Roam 2024Have you done the Giant City Gnome Roam yet? The Giant City Gnome Roam is an annual event put on by Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois. The event consists of finding 7 gnome cutouts in order to earn a free Gnome Roam patch. You can do...
Mooner’s Hollow Trail Guide
Mooner's Hollow Trail GuideMooner's Hollow Trail is a hiking trail located at Saint Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri. This hike is roughly 3 miles in length, moderately difficult, and a true loop trail. This trail is a visual feast, offering a variety of...
30 Places to Hike in Southern Illinois During Hunting Season
30 Places to Hike in Southern Illinois During Hunting SeasonAre you looking for places to hike in Southern Illinois during hunting season? Firearm hunting season in Southern Illinois starts soon. During that time, avoid anywhere there might be hunters. It's respectful...
How to Plan Your First Multi-Day Backpacking Trip
How to Plan Your First Multi-Day Backpacking TripAre you hoping to go on your first multi-day backpacking trip? A multi-day backpacking trip involves hiking for multiple days and camping along the trail. It can be challenging and hard work, but it can also be a very...
Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots Review
Men's Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots ReviewThis is my review of the Men's Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots! These versatile shoes, marketed as low hiking boots but more akin to hiking shoes, have been my trusted companions for a few months now. I'm...
Shepard Point Trail Guide
Shepard Point Trail GuideHave you hiked the Shepard Point Trail at Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri yet? Despite being one of the shortest in the state park, the Shepard Point Trail is a rugged gem waiting to be explored. It's not just a trail for exercise and...
15 Southern Illinois Fall Color Spots for Fall 2024
15 Southern Illinois Fall Color Spots for Fall 2024Are you looking for Southern Illinois Fall Color Spots to visit this fall? There are so many throughout the region that it's hard to choose just one. But I'm here with 15 awesome spots for you to choose from or even...
Impetro Gear Backpack: A Comprehensive Review
Impetro Gear Backpack: A Comprehensive ReviewThis is a review of the Impetro Gear Backpack. Just for full transparency, I use affiliate links in this review. That means I earn a commission for every sale made, but it doesn't impact your price. You can search for the...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Kincaid Mounds Visitor Guide
Kincaid Mounds Visitor GuideHave you ever been to Kincaid Mounds in Southern Illinois? I’m not talking about Cahokia Mounds, which features multiple mounds you can walk on and a visitor center. I'm talking about the smaller mound site located in rural Southern...
Indian Kitchen Trail Video Guide
Indian Kitchen Trail Video GuideIndian Kitchen Trail is located in Lusk Creek Wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. This out-and-back trail features amazing bluffs, Native American history, and the scenic Lusk Creek.What You’ll See on the...
Buttermilk Hill Beach Trail Guide
Buttermilk Hill Beach Trail GuideButtermilk Hill Beach Trail is a multi-use, out-and-back trail located on Kinkaid Lake in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois. The hike is around 7.6 miles. This is an out-and-back trail that requires you to hike a long...
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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