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.

How to Hike Without Getting Tired

How to Hike Without Getting Tired

How to Hike Without Getting TiredDo you want to hike without getting tired? We all want that. If you get tired after a hike, you might not want to hike anymore. That’s because hiking shouldn’t make you tired. It should make you sleep well later on that night. But it...

Best Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois

Best Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois

Best Hiking Trails in Southern IllinoisAre you looking for hiking trails in southern Illinois? Well, you're in luck. Between the Shawnee National Forest, multiple state parks and preserves, and the nearly 160 miles of River to River Trail, there are more hiking trails...

Looking for a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide?

Looking for a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide?

Looking for a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide?I'm a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide. You've watched my videos. You've seen my photos. You've read my blogs. If there's one thing I know, it's hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. But not everyone is comfortable hiking alone in...

Giant City Indian Creek Trail Guide

Giant City Indian Creek Trail Guide

Giant City Indian Creek Trail GuideGiant City Indian Creek Trail is a short but scenic hike that is often overlooked by many people enjoying a visit to Giant City State Park. Like with most things with the word "Indian" in the name, this trail has some Native American...

Backpacking Repair Kit Checklist

Backpacking Repair Kit Checklist

Backpacking Repair Kit ChecklistIt’s good to have a backpacking repair kit with you when overnight hiking. You never know what can go wrong. When stuff goes wrong, having a great backpacking repair kit will make a difference. Some things will go wrong and ruin the...

Public Land Commercial Filming Permits are Discrimination

Public Land Commercial Filming Permits are Discrimination

Public Land Commercial Filming Permits are DiscriminationLet me start by saying that I don’t do commercial filming on public lands. I don’t film for money. I don’t put ads on my videos. YouTube might. But that’s between YouTube and the Public Land Management Agency....

Shawnee Photo Contest

Shawnee Photo Contest

Shawnee Photo ContestI have this domain ShawneePhotoContest.com. I’ve considered creating an annual Shawnee Photo Contest. I don’t have much to offer as a prize, but I figured bragging rights if anything could be a good enough prize. Maybe even sell sponsorship for...

Giant City Stonefort Trail Guide

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...

10 Shawnee Forest Frozen Waterfall Destinations

10 Shawnee Forest Frozen Waterfall Destinations

10 Shawnee Forest Frozen Waterfall DestinationsAre you looking for Shawnee Forest frozen waterfalls destinations? The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois is full of beautiful waterfall spots. During our frigid and cold winters, these waterfalls tend to...

Latest Trail Guides

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

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian Kitchen

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian Kitchen

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian KitchenIndian Kitchen is a popular gem in the middle of the Lusk Creek Wilderness that is favored by both hikers and equestrians, alike. Indian Kitchen has so many things to see and do and is even packed with a lot of...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek Loop

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek Loop

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek LoopMax Creek is an interesting hike for different reasons. Max Creek, the actual creek itself is very scenic and provides a nice view. The trail offers various waterfalls and is a fun hike during different seasons of...

Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine Hills

Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine Hills

Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine HillsLaRue Pine Hills is one of my favorite areas to visit throughout all the seasons of the year but especially during the spring and during the fall. LaRue Pine Hills is home to the world-famous Forest...

Latest Gear Reviews

Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

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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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