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.
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...
Best Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois
Best Hiking Trails in Southern IllinoisAre you looking for hiking trails in southern Illinois? Well, you're in luck. Between the Shawnee National Forest, multiple state parks and preserves, and the nearly 160 miles of River to River Trail, there are more hiking trails...
Looking for a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide?
Looking for a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide?I'm a Shawnee Forest Hiking Guide. You've watched my videos. You've seen my photos. You've read my blogs. If there's one thing I know, it's hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. But not everyone is comfortable hiking alone in...
Giant City Indian Creek Trail Guide
Giant City Indian Creek Trail GuideGiant City Indian Creek Trail is a short but scenic hike that is often overlooked by many people enjoying a visit to Giant City State Park. Like with most things with the word "Indian" in the name, this trail has some Native American...
Backpacking Repair Kit Checklist
Backpacking Repair Kit ChecklistIt’s good to have a backpacking repair kit with you when overnight hiking. You never know what can go wrong. When stuff goes wrong, having a great backpacking repair kit will make a difference. Some things will go wrong and ruin the...
Public Land Commercial Filming Permits are Discrimination
Public Land Commercial Filming Permits are DiscriminationLet me start by saying that I don’t do commercial filming on public lands. I don’t film for money. I don’t put ads on my videos. YouTube might. But that’s between YouTube and the Public Land Management Agency....
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road Guide
LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road GuideLaRue Pine Hills Snake Road is the only road in the world that closes annually so snakes can migrate across, and that road is located in the Shawnee National Forest. The road closes two times a year. During the closer-horseback,...
Glen O Jones Lake Visitor Guide by Hiking with Shawn
Glen O Jones Lake Visitor Guide by Hiking with ShawnGlen O Jones Lake is an Illinois state-managed fish and wildlife area. Other than fishing and hunting opportunities, there are numerous other recreational activities, too. You can kayak the lake. There is a bicycling...
Rim Rock National Recreation Trail – Shawnee National Forest – Trail Guide
Rim Rock National Recreation Trail Shawnee National Forest Trail GuideRim Rock National Recreation Trail is a premier recreation area in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Rim Rock offers multiple hiking opportunities, historical sightseeing, nature...
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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