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.
Section Hiking Versus Thru-Hiking
Section Hiking Versus Thru-HikingSection hiking versus thru-hiking, do you know the difference between the two? Both section hiking and thru-hiking are usually associated with longer hiking trails. Some of the longer hiking trails are ones you’ve probably heard of....
Bell Smith Springs Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal
Bell Smith Springs Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalBell Smith Springs Illinois is one of the most unique places you’ll ever visit in the Shawnee National Forest! Welcome to another one of my Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal articles, where I feature trail...
How I Find Waterfalls Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal
How I Find Waterfalls Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalHave you ever wondered how I find waterfalls throughout the Shawnee National Forest? Welcome to another Trail Journal, where in this edition, I discuss my tactics on how I find waterfalls throughout remote areas of...
Snake Road Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail Journal
Snake Road Illinois Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalHave you ever been to Snake Road Illinois? It’s a forest road of a few miles that is closed to vehicle traffic two times a year so that snakes can safely migrate across. Welcome to another edition of the Hiking with...
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 This Illinois State Park offers many activities, including historical reference, cycling, hiking, disk golf, boating, and more.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...
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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