Hiking with Shawn

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.

Top 10 Hiking with Shawn Videos to Watch Today

Top 10 Hiking with Shawn Videos to Watch Today

Top 10 Hiking with Shawn Videos to Watch TodayThere are over 1,100 Hiking with Shawn videos on the official Hiking with Shawn YouTube channel. These videos show various hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor recreation destination, primarily around southern...

Day Hiking Essentials: Bring these things on every hike!

Day Hiking Essentials: Bring these things on every hike!

Day Hiking Essentials: Bring these things on every hike!There are important day hiking essentials that you should bring with you on every day hike. These essentials will help you enjoy the best hiking experience possible. But not all hiking gear is created equal. Some...

6 Tips for Hiking in the Rain

6 Tips for Hiking in the Rain

6 Tips for Hiking in the RainThe spring in the Shawnee National Forest typically brings rain showers. It means that at some point, you’ll be hiking in the rain or skipping hiking on rainy days. I’m telling you not to skip those hike days because hiking in the rain has...

Newsletter Ad Sales

Newsletter Ad Sales

Newsletter Ad SalesAre you a local southern Illinois business looking for affordable ad space? The monthly Hiking with Shawn Newsletter is looking for ad partners. Full-section ads (including a photo and paragraph of text with links) start at $50 a month. Standard...

What to See on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail?

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

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 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 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 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...

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 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 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 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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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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