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.
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Guide
Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail GuideArrow Wood Interpretive Trail is a 0.37-mile lollipop loop trail located within the Giant City State Park near Makanda, Illinois. In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail...
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Review: Is This Two-Person Camping Hammock Worth It?Have you heard of the Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl hammock before? If you’re looking for a good backpacking hammock, this review is for you. I’ve been using the Wise Owl Outfitters...
How to Break In Hiking Boots or Shoes Without Ruining a Trip
How to Break In Hiking Boots or Shoes Without Ruining a TripIt’s critical to break in hiking boots or shoes before taking them out on a big hiking trip. New hiking boots or shoes feel great when you try them on in the store, but they can be terrible once you’re...
Wolf Den Hollow Trail Guide
Wolf Den Hollow Trail GuideThe Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a lightly trafficked, moderate 4-mile lollipop loop hiking trail near Cedar Lake in the Shawnee National Forest. In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail in...
Baleaf Rain Jacket Review: Is This Budget Rain Shell Worth It for Hiking?
Baleaf Rain Jacket Review: Is This Budget Rain Shell Worth It for Hiking?The Baleaf Rain Jacket is a high-visibility rain jacket that can be used for hiking, trail running, cycling, and most outdoor activities. I have used this rain jacket for both hiking and cycling...
10 Pieces of Hiking Gear You’ll Appreciate After Mile 5
10 Pieces of Hiking Gear You’ll Appreciate After Mile 5I have a list of hiking gear you’ll appreciate after mile 5, when you finally notice you’ve been hiking for a while. The first couple of miles on a hike are pretty easy for the most part. However, after mile 5,...
Hickory Canyons Trail Guide
Hickory Canyons Trail GuideThe Hickory Canyons Trail is a 2-mile loop trail system near the town of Farmington, Missouri. The trail is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and is considered a natural area where foot travel is welcome on designated...
Janji Trail Half Tights Review for Hiking and Trail Running
Janji Trail Half Tights Review for Hiking and Trail RunningI’ve been wearing the Janji Trail Half Tights for hiking and trail running for a little over a year now. The Janji shorts are growing in popularity as a main choice for trail runners and hikers who prefer the...
How to Choose the Right Hiking Trail When You Only Have 1-2 Hours
How to Choose the Right Hiking Trail When You Only Have 1-2 HoursYou can choose the right hiking trail if you only have a few hours of hiking to spare through proper planning. Not every hike needs to be an all-day adventure. You might have a busy schedule with work,...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Wolf Den Hollow Trail Guide
Wolf Den Hollow Trail GuideThe Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a lightly trafficked, moderate 4-mile lollipop loop hiking trail near Cedar Lake in the Shawnee National Forest. In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail in...
Hickory Canyons Trail Guide
Hickory Canyons Trail GuideThe Hickory Canyons Trail is a 2-mile loop trail system near the town of Farmington, Missouri. The trail is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and is considered a natural area where foot travel is welcome on designated...
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site Guide
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site GuideHave you ever been to the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Missouri before? This quiet and scenic historical site can be found right off Highway 34 near Burfordville, Missouri. It features a museum, an old mill site, a...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Osprey Manta 34 Hydration Pack Backpack Review
Osprey Manta 34 Hydration Pack Backpack ReviewThe Osprey Manta 34 Hydration Pack is a 34-liter backpack with multiple compartments, a hydration bladder, and adjustable straps to fit most figures. This backpack is a great option for day hikers, shorter backpacking...
AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo Review
AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo ReviewHave you tried the AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo yet? My wife and I took this freeze-dried food option with us on a recent backpacking trip and tried it out. To make my review blogs more...
Baleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights Review
Baleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights ReviewBaleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights are one of your choices for budget-friendly active apparel. Winter tights make an important difference for men and women who recreate outdoors. They’re designed to keep you warm whether...
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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