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.

Homer’s Garage Video Guide

Homer’s Garage Video Guide

Homer’s Garage Video GuideIn this video, we explore an old settlement located within Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. The old settlement features Homer’s Garage, which has an old foundation and an old school bus that has been heavily graffitied over the years.What...

10 Great Hiking Trails to Avoid Hunters in Southern Illinois

10 Great Hiking Trails to Avoid Hunters in Southern Illinois

10 Great Hiking Trails to Avoid Hunters in Southern IllinoisNeed ideas for hiking trails to avoid hunters in Southern Illinois this firearm hunting season? It’s safer for you to hike on trails where hunting is prohibited. It is the responsibility of the hunter to...

The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video Guide

The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video Guide

The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video GuideIn this video, I share my experience from staying at the Dome at Blueberry Hill. The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video Guide features a dome-shaped Airbnb home that is probably one of the most unique places to stay in the Shawnee...

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook Guide

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook Guide

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook GuideHave you ever been to Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook near Wickliffe, Kentucky? This is a great roadside stop if you’re visiting Wickliffe Mounds or biking on the Mississippi River Trail. It features a beautiful overlook,...

ASMR LBL Creek Hike Video

ASMR LBL Creek Hike Video

ASMR LBL Creek Hike VideoIn this video, we explore a creek located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and hike down to it. Although there is some talking in this video, I've tried my best to create an ASMR-type video for you to...

Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail RunningJanji Trail Tights have become my go-to tights for hiking and trail running when the weather is cool outside. The trail tights by Janji are for everyone, really. You can wear them hiking, trail running, backpacking, and...

How to Navigate Hiking Trails in Heavy Snow

How to Navigate Hiking Trails in Heavy Snow

How to Navigate Hiking Trails in Heavy SnowKnowing how to navigate hiking trails in heavy snow is an important skill, as it can help keep you safe and sound. During a heavy snowstorm, you can imagine that a hiking trail is going to be treacherous. Trail blazes will be...

One Horse Gap Video Guide

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...

10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do This Hiking Season!

10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do This Hiking Season!

10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do in 2026Are you looking for Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to hike this upcoming hiking season? Start the new year off right by choosing some of the best loop hiking trails the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. These...

Latest Trail Guides

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

Homer’s Garage Video Guide

Homer’s Garage Video Guide

Homer’s Garage Video GuideIn this video, we explore an old settlement located within Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. The old settlement features Homer’s Garage, which has an old foundation and an old school bus that has been heavily graffitied over the years.What...

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook Guide

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook Guide

Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook GuideHave you ever been to Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook near Wickliffe, Kentucky? This is a great roadside stop if you’re visiting Wickliffe Mounds or biking on the Mississippi River Trail. It features a beautiful overlook,...

ASMR LBL Creek Hike Video

ASMR LBL Creek Hike Video

ASMR LBL Creek Hike VideoIn this video, we explore a creek located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and hike down to it. Although there is some talking in this video, I've tried my best to create an ASMR-type video for you to...

Latest Gear Reviews

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

AllTrails Hiking App Review

AllTrails Hiking App Review

AllTrails Hiking App ReviewThe AllTrails hiking app is a great way to navigate hiking trails, as long as you use it to its fullest potential. AllTrails is a well-known hiking navigation app that has been tried and tested. It’s important to use some sort of navigation...

Yaktrax Review for Winter Hiking

Yaktrax Review for Winter Hiking

Yaktrax Review for Winter HikingHave you ever used Yaktrax on your hike before? This gear item securely attaches to your footwear to improve traction on snow and ice. Hiking in the winter often means increased dangers of slipping and falling. But Yaktrax can help...

SurviveX First Aid Kit Review for Hikers

SurviveX First Aid Kit Review for Hikers

SurviveX First Aid Kit Review for HikersHave you heard of the SurviveX first aid kit for hikers? It is always advisable to carry a first aid kit on your hikes. You never know when a mishap will occur on the hiking trail. Having the right emergency supplies will enable...

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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