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.
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 This Illinois State Park offers many activities, including historical reference, cycling, hiking, disk golf, boating, and more.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...
How and What to Pack for Your Overnight Hiking Trip
How and What to Pack for Your Overnight Hiking TripDo you want to go on an overnight hiking trip? But you don’t know what to pack? How about how to pack it? You’re probably saying, “How to pack? What does Shawn mean by that”. The truth is that there is a technique on...
18 Shawnee National Forest Weekend Itinerary Ideas
18 Shawnee National Forest Weekend Itinerary IdeasDo you need a Shawnee National Forest Weekend Itinerary? A visit to the Shawnee for a weekend adventure is a great idea! It’s affordable! It’s close to a lot of significant areas! There is a lot to do! There is...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Burden Falls Wilderness Guide
Hiking with Shawn’s Guide to the Wilderness Areas of the Shawnee National Forest: Burden Falls WildernessBurden Falls Wilderness is a Designated Wilderness Area within the Shawnee National Forest. This wilderness area consists of 3,775-acres and is located in...
Bay Creek Wilderness Guide
Hiking with Shawn’s Guide to the Wilderness Areas of the Shawnee National Forest: Bay Creek WildernessBay Creek Wilderness is a Designated Wilderness Area within the Shawnee National Forest. Consisting of 2,866-acres, Bay Creek Wilderness is located in rural Pope...
Bald Knob Wilderness Guide
Hiking with Shawn’s Guide to the Wilderness Areas of the Shawnee National Forest: Bald Knob WildernessBald Knob Wilderness is a 5,973-acre designated wilderness area within the Shawnee National Forest. This wilderness area is located in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger...
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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