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.
What to See on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail?
What to See on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail?Have you been on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail? It's an amazing adventure! Whether you're interested in wine, dining, entertainment, or even an adventure – the Southern Illinois Wine Trail has something for everyone....
10 Simple Hiking Hacks to Take Advantage of Today
10 Simple Hiking Hacks to Take Advantage of Today I’ve got 10 simple hiking hacks to help you have a better hiking experience. These hacks are so simple that you’ll be able to do every one of them. Hiking hacks really make enjoying nature and the outdoors a lot...
Indian Point Trail Guide
Indian Point Trail GuideIndian Point Trail, or the Backpackers Trailhead, is a short trail within Garden of the Gods Wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. This is a popular hiking and overnight backpacking trail used throughout the year. This...
Illinois Iron Furnace Guide
Illinois Iron Furnace GuideIllinois Iron Furnace isn’t just a nice spot for a picnic on a warm sunny day. It’s the last remaining Iron Furnace in the region. It’s a piece of southern Illinois history worth seeing for yourself. Illinois Iron Furnace is the last iron...
Giant City Red Cedar Trail Guide
Giant City Red Cedar Trail GuideGiant City Red Cedar Trail is the longest hiking trail within Giant City State Park. It is commonly used by hikers, backpackers, trail runners, birders, and nature watchers. Getting to Giant City Red Cedar Trail is easy. The trail is...
Battery Rock Photo Blog
Battery Rock Photo BlogEnjoy this Battery Rock photo blog. Battery Rock is located on the Ohio River in southern Illinois. It’s part of the Shawnee National Forest. It was the former Ohio River terminus of the River to River Trail. Due to its remoteness and long road...
Hiking Tip of the Day: Use Permethrin
Hiking Tip of the Day: Use PermethrinYou should use permethrin to help prevent tick bites. Permethrin is a strong chemical insecticide used to reduce exposure to ticks and mosquitoes in humans and dogs. You should not use permethrin on your skin. It can cause issues...
The Shawnee Polar Plunge Wants YOU!
SECOND ANNUAL SHAWNEE POLAR PLUNGERegister for the Shawnee Polar Plunge, lunch and workshop at go.illinois.edu/2ndAnnualPolarPlungeHike, lunch/workshop, dinner hosted by Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins. Donations for the Plunge can be made...
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...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
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...
Tunnel Hill State Trail Guide
Tunnel Hill State Trail GuideTunnel Hill State Trail is a 50+ mile rail trail in Southern Illinois. The trail was once a bustling railroad line during the 1800s into the 1900s, back when there was a coal mining boom in the region. The railway transported coal and...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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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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