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 Survival Gear List

Hiking Survival Gear ListDo you take the needed hiking survival gear with you? Not having the right gear could result in a very negative hiking experience if things go wrong on the trail. It's better to be prepared than unprepared in any event. This same truth goes...

How to Start Mountain Biking in the Shawnee National Forest

How to Start Mountain Biking in the Shawnee National ForestHave you ever wanted to see more of the Shawnee National Forest without having to quit because it's getting too late? Mountain biking in the Shawnee National Forest allows you to see more of what the forest...

Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?

Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?You could be making the mistake of carrying too much in your backpack. And that could lead to an array of different problems for you. It can create wear and tear on your backpack. It can cause your hiking gear to become...

Outdoor Adventures in Southern Illinois for Every Season

Outdoor Adventures in Southern Illinois for Every SeasonAre you looking for outdoor adventures in Southern Illinois? Maybe you’re more of a spring adventurer. Or maybe you like going outdoors in the fall the most. You could be a winter-only outdoor adventurer. And...

How to Train for Hiking to Able to Hike Anything

How to Train for Hiking to Able to Hike AnythingAre you looking for best practices for how to train for hiking? The more you train to be a better hiker, the better at hiking you can get. That means it'll be easier for you to hike longer and take tougher trails. By...

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...

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Latest Trail Guides

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

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Guide

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area GuideHave you ever visited Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois? It's an amazing spot for all different kinds of recreational uses. Whether you're a boater, kayaker, fisherman, hunter, cyclist, hiker,...

Abneyville Rock Trail Guide

Abneyville Rock Trail GuideThe Abneyville Rock Trail is a short but very remote hiking trail located in the northwestern Shawnee National Forest near Sand Ridge, with the closest city being Murphysboro. The trail is around four miles out-and-back and has roughly 600...

Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking Guide

Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking GuideHave you ever hiked Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff (or reverse)? If you haven’t yet, and you’re looking for a nice long out-and-back hike, this would be an excellent hiking trip for you to enjoy. This hike is around 10 miles out and...

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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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