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.

10 Small Gear Upgrades that Make Long Hikes Feel Easier

10 Small Gear Upgrades that Make Long Hikes Feel Easier

10 Small Gear Upgrades that Make Long Hikes Feel EasierWe all want to make long hikes feel easier. Longer hikes tend to feel a lot harder than they should. There is just so much fatigue, discomfort, and friction. But the truth is, you don’t need big, expensive gear...

Audubon Wetlands Trail

Audubon Wetlands Trail

Audubon Wetlands Trail GuideHave you ever hiked at the Audubon Wetlands Trail near John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky? In this trail guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about finding, visiting, hiking, and enjoying the Audubon Wetlands...

AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo Review

AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo Review

AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo ReviewHave you tried the AlpineAire Foods Wild Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo yet? My wife and I took this freeze-dried food option with us on a recent backpacking trip and tried it out. To make my review blogs more...

How to Plan a Last Minute Hike without Overthinking it

How to Plan a Last Minute Hike without Overthinking it

How to Plan a Last Minute Hike without Overthinking itIf the urge to hike hits fast and you’re too busy trying to plan a last minute hike, you might overthink it enough to actually ruin the hike. Overthinking your hiking plans will definitely kill spontaneous hikes....

John James Audubon State Park Guide

John James Audubon State Park Guide

John James Audubon State Park GuideHave you been to the John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky? It’s a great state park. My wife and I visited recently and really enjoyed our visit. In this guide, I’ll give you a full review of the state park and what to...

Baleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights Review

Baleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights Review

Baleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights ReviewBaleaf Winter Running Thermal Tights are one of your choices for budget-friendly active apparel. Winter tights make an important difference for men and women who recreate outdoors. They’re designed to keep you warm whether...

10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather Hikes

10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather Hikes

10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather HikesAre you looking for short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hikes? Winter is here for a while, and it will eventually get really cold, as it always does in Southern Illinois. That...

Koomer Ridge Campground Guide

Koomer Ridge Campground Guide

Koomer Ridge Campground GuideHave you ever stayed at Koomer Ridge Campground in the Red River Gorge of Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky? My wife and I stayed at Koomer Ridge for an extended weekend during our one-year wedding anniversary and explored...

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Review

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Review

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles ReviewI’ve been using the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles as my first experience with trekking poles, so I wanted to give my honest opinion of these trekking poles. In this review, I’ll share my likes, dislikes,...

Latest Trail Guides

Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

Audubon Wetlands Trail

Audubon Wetlands Trail

Audubon Wetlands Trail GuideHave you ever hiked at the Audubon Wetlands Trail near John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky? In this trail guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about finding, visiting, hiking, and enjoying the Audubon Wetlands...

John James Audubon State Park Guide

John James Audubon State Park Guide

John James Audubon State Park GuideHave you been to the John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky? It’s a great state park. My wife and I visited recently and really enjoyed our visit. In this guide, I’ll give you a full review of the state park and what to...

Koomer Ridge Campground Guide

Koomer Ridge Campground Guide

Koomer Ridge Campground GuideHave you ever stayed at Koomer Ridge Campground in the Red River Gorge of Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky? My wife and I stayed at Koomer Ridge for an extended weekend during our one-year wedding anniversary and explored...

Latest Gear Reviews

Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack Review

Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack Review

Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack ReviewThe Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack was designed with mountain biking in mind but could easily be used for day hiking and trail running adventures, as well. I’d recommend this hydration pack to a variety of different users. Day...

CompressionZ Shorts and Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

CompressionZ Shorts and Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

CompressionZ Shorts and Tights for Hiking and Trail RunningCompressionZ shorts and tights are compression wear products that are relatively inexpensive and great for hiking and trail running. I’ve been wearing their compression shorts and tights for both hiking and...

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail RunningThe Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are insulated tights that wick moisture, made for outdoor and athletic activities, and are often used by many athletes. I use them myself for hiking and trail running. I’ll...

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.

Copyright © 2025 Hiking with Shawn™ All Rights Are Reserved.

Hiking with Shawn® is a Registered Trademark of Hiking with Shawn, LLC

Hiking with Shawn is not affiliated with any local, state, or federal government agency.