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.

3 Easy Shawnee National Forest Kayaking Destinations

3 Easy Shawnee National Forest Kayaking Destinations

3 Easy Shawnee National Forest Kayaking DestinationsAre you looking for Shawnee National Forest kayaking destinations? The Shawnee National Forest and state parks in southern Illinois are filled with different lakes, creeks, and rivers that make perfect kayaking and...

Shawnee Forest Bigfoot: Legends and Reality

Shawnee Forest Bigfoot: Legends and Reality

Shawnee Forest Bigfoot: Legends and RealityHave you ever heard of the Shawnee Forest Bigfoot? There are several different bigfoot topics when it comes to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Some are for tourism purposes. Some are legends. Some are...

Why do you Hike?

Why do you Hike?

Why do you Hike?Why do you hike? Hiking means many different things to many other people. You might hike for a specific goal. It might be for fitness reasons. Maybe it’s for your mental health. What is the reason that you have chosen to hike for?I hike for a few...

Hiking with Shawn Patreon

Hiking with Shawn Patreon

Hiking with Shawn PatreonAre you looking for a way to support Hiking with Shawn even more than you’re already doing just by being a fan?I welcome you to join my Patreon page to help support me. My Patreon Page offers daily discussions with me, exclusive videos and...

How to Hike in the Snow

How to Hike in the Snow

How to Hike in the SnowSome people are terrified to hike in the snow. Some don’t because it’s too cold. Some people will hike in the snow but not the ice. Hiking in the snow or ice, for that matter, isn’t always a bad thing. You can see a lot of cool stuff during...

Outdoor Freelance Work

Outdoor Freelance Work

Outdoor Freelance WorkDid you know I provide outdoor freelance work? I’ve been interested in and practicing various digital marketing, content creation, writing, and social media activities for the past twenty-five years. I’ve always been interested in maintaining the...

How to go Hiking in the Rain

How to go Hiking in the Rain

How to go Hiking in the RainDoe the very idea of hiking in the rain scare you or make you think it’s too dangerous to do? What if I told you that hiking in the rain could be as safe as hiking in any condition and make for a much better hiking experience? Hiking in the...

Trail of Tears State Forest Campground Review

Trail of Tears State Forest Campground Review

Illinois Campground Review: Trail of Tears State Forest Campground Jonesboro, IllinoisTrail of Tears State Forest Campground is located in Jonesboro, Union County, in the southern Illinois region. Class C (tent with vehicle access) and Class D (tent with backpacker...

Why Early Morning Hiking is the Way To Go

Why Early Morning Hiking is the Way To Go

Why Early Morning Hiking is the Way To GoAre you into early morning hiking, or do you like to sleep in before getting up to go for a hike? Did you know that hiking in the morning might be what you need to make your day better? Not everyone can hike in the morning...

Latest Trail Guides

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

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Jackson Falls

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Jackson Falls

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Jackson FallsJackson Falls in the Shawnee National Forest is a popular gem among many different user groups. There are numerous hiking and equestrian trails within and around Jackson Falls, it is a climbing and bouldering...

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Burden Falls Wilderness

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Burden Falls Wilderness

Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Burden Falls WildernessBurden Falls Wilderness is a vast 3,700+ acres of a designated Illinois Wilderness Area managed by the US Forest Service under the Shawnee National Forest. Burden Falls Wilderness is very popular both...

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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