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 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds for Every Visitor
10 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds for Every VisitorShawnee National Forest campgrounds are scattered all across the National Forest. Whether you need an electrical hookup, a tent site, or want to get away from the crowds, a campground is suitable for you. And the...
100 Things To Do in the Shawnee National Forest!
100 Things To Do in the Shawnee National Forest!Shawnee National Forest has so many things to do! The Shawnee isn’t the largest National Forest out there. It isn’t even the second largest or the third. With under 300,000 total acres of National Forest, you might think...
Shawnee National Forest Snakes: Should you be concerned?
Shawnee National Forest Snakes: Should you be concerned?Shawnee National Forest snakes have been a big topic lately on social media! I’m sure I have helped make it a topic, too. I post photos and videos of snakes I encounter on my hiking and biking adventures around...
Little Grand Canyon Trail Guide – Shawnee National Forest
Little Grand Canyon Trail Guide Shawnee National ForestLittle Grand Canyon is a popular day hiking loop trail located on the western side of the Shawnee National Forest near Carbondale, Illinois. This is a full loop hike of about 3.5-miles total. The best way to hike...
10 Shawnee National Forest Horse Campgrounds to Stay at in 2022
10 Shawnee National Forest Horse Campgrounds to Stay at in 2022Are you looking for great Shawnee National Forest horse campgrounds to stay at this year? Do you want to find campgrounds with unique features and close to excellent trails to ride? This article will point...
27 Hiking Tips for Beginner Hikers
27 Hiking Tips for Beginner HikersHere are 27 essential hiking tips aimed at beginner hikers. If you’re new to hiking and want to make the best out of a hiking experience, this article is definitely for you. I’ve been hiking most of my life, but I got into serious...
Pomona Natural Bridge Guide – Shawnee National Forest
Pomona Natural Bridge Guide Shawnee National ForestPomona Natural Bridge is a popular natural bluff feature located near Pomona, Illinois, in the Shawnee National Forest, Mississippi Bluff Ranger District. Pomona Natural Bridge is a moderately difficult loop trail...
Cove Hollow Trail – Cedar Lake – Shawnee National Forest
Cove Hollow Trail Cedar Lake Shawnee National Forest Trail GuideCove Hollow Loop is a trail system located in the Shawnee National Forest near Pomona within the Cedar Lake area. This lollipop loop uses a combination of Cove Hollow and Wolfden Hollow trails. The total...
Shawnee National Forest Best Hikes during the Spring & Summer Seasons
10 Shawnee National Forest Best Hikes during the Spring & Summer SeasonsAre you looking for information on Shawnee National best hikes during the spring and summer months? Look no further; your Shawnee National Forest best hikes list is here. The spring and summer...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Interstate Trail
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Interstate TrailThe Interstate Trail is a 1.6 mile trail that is very easy to hike. This is a horseback trail but is also open to hikers as well. There are some features to see on this trail including bluffs, a former school...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Schwegman Ecological Area & Groundhog Den
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Schwegman Ecological Area & Groundhog DenSchwegman Ecological Area and Groundhog Den are unique gems in the Shawnee National Forest. I’ve talked to the fella who used to live in these areas before the land was sold to the US...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Trigg Observation Tower
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Trigg Observation TowerTrigg Observation Tower is a former fire watch observation tower located in the Shawnee National Forest near Simpson, Illinois. Trigg Observation Tower was originally about 100 foot in height but half of...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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