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 I Find Waterfalls Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal
How I Find Waterfalls Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalHave you ever wondered how I find waterfalls throughout the Shawnee National Forest? Welcome to another Trail Journal, where in this edition, I discuss my tactics on how I find waterfalls throughout remote areas of...
Snake Road Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal
Snake Road Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalHave you ever been to Snake Road Illinois? It’s a forest road of a few miles that is closed to vehicle traffic two times a year so that snakes can safely migrate across. Welcome to another edition of the Hiking with...
Fort Massac State Park Guide
Fort Massac State Park GuideFort Massac State Park was the first state park in Illinois. This Illinois State Park offers many activities, including historical reference, cycling, hiking, disk golf, boating, and more. There is even a substantial world-famous encampment...
The Benefits of Hiking Solo
The Benefits of Hiking SoloThere are benefits of hiking solo if you tackle the trail on your own rather than with someone else. Hiking Solo allows you to set your own pace and create your adventure. It allows you the feeling of solitude and lack of noise. It will...
The Benefits of Hiking with Friends
The Benefits of Hiking with FriendsHiking with friends gives you a lot of great benefits, especially if you’re starting as a hiker. Hiking with other people will help you take the focus off exercise and lean more towards fun and adventure. It is also safer to hike...
Hotel California Trail Hiking with Shawn Trail Journals
Hotel California Trail Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalsHave you been to the Hotel California Trail at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky? Welcome to the first edition of “Hiking with Shawn Trail Journals.” This article series will give you stories, legends, and lore...
Shop Southern Illinois Local this Holiday Season
Shop Southern Illinois Local this Holiday SeasonThe holiday season is upon us, and you can help your neighbors by choosing the shop Southern Illinois local this year. By shopping locally, you can get the best locally made or sold gifts for your friends and family...
5 Spooky Hiking Trails in the Shawnee National Forest
5 Spooky Hiking Trails in the Shawnee National ForestDo you want to hike some spooky hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest? I’ve been all around the Shawnee National Forest. I’ve learned as much local history as possible. Learning local history, I’ve also...
Dixon Springs State Park Visitor Guide
Dixon Springs State Park Visitor GuideDixon Springs State Park is an amazing Illinois State Park. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out. Save this guide for a future visit! If you’ve been and had issues finding things in the park – you’ll appreciate this free...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Millstone Bluff
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Millstone BluffMillstone Bluff is a day-use recreational site within the Shawnee National Forest located near Simpson in southern Illinois. This site is fairly easy to navigate and hike and is appropriate for younger users and...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Piney Creek Ravine
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Piney Creek RavinePiney Creek Ravine, while well known, is a sort of hidden gem in southern Illinois. It is located on the west side of the state near Ava, Illinois and provides a wonderful hiking opportunity as well as an...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Bell Smith Springs
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Bell Smith SpringsBell Smith Springs is truly a magical place of the Shawnee National Forest. It is home to a popular diving and swimming hole, the largest arch in southern Illinois, iconic rock formations that are even...
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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