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.
Shawnee National Forest Backpacking Guide
Shawnee National Forest Backpacking GuideIf you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for Shawnee National Forest backpacking information – and it looks like you found the right place for that information. With nearly 300,000-acres, there are a lot of areas in...
10 Most Important Hiking Gear Items for the Shawnee National Forest
10 Most Important Hiking Gear Items to take to the Shawnee National ForestAre you carrying the most important hiking gear items that you should be? The Shawnee National Forest is a small forest consisting of just shy of 280,000 acres spread across the southern portion...
Shawnee National Forest Bear Branch Trail Guide
Shawnee National Forest Bear Branch Trail GuideShawnee National Forest Bear Branch Trail is a loop trail located in Pope County, Illinois. This trail consists of a 4.5-mile complete loop trail system shared by hikers and horseback riders. This trail has minimal...
Shawnee National Forest Iron Mountain Hiking Guide
Shawnee National Forest Iron Mountain Hiking GuideHave you ever been to Shawnee National Forest Iron Mountain? No, I don’t mean Iron Furnace, either. Shawnee National Forest Iron Mountain is located between Anna-Jonesboro and Alto Pass here in southern Illinois. This...
Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots Review
Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots ReviewSince I’ve recently purchased my second pair of Oboz waterproof hiking boots, I figured that was a good time to create a review for it. I’ve used these new Oboz Mid Bridger waterproof hiking boots for a few months and those before...
5 Southern Illinois Cycling Trip Ideas for All Types of Cyclists
5 Southern Illinois Cycling Trip Ideas for All Types of CyclistsLooking to plan a cycling trip? Why not make it a southern Illinois cycling trip? Whether you’re from Chicago or St. Louis, Nashville, or Indianapolis – southern Illinois is a quick drive down, up, over,...
5 Southern Illinois Hiking Vacation Ideas for All Types of Hikers
5 Southern Illinois Hiking Vacation Ideas for All Types of HikersPlanning a vacation? Why not plan a southern Illinois hiking vacation? Escape the big city and head down, up, over, and out to southern Illinois for a grand hiking vacation that you’ll always remember....
10 Shawnee National Forest Bike Trails & Routes for All Types of Cyclists
10 Shawnee National Forest Bike Trails & Routes for All Types of CyclistsShawnee National Forest bike trails are some of the best trails in the Midwest according to local and travelers who ride in the area. It is a common misconception that cycling isn’t allowed...
10 Giant City State Park Activities to do this Spring
10 Giant City State Park Activities to do this SpringSpring is near and so are the Giant City State Park activities that are worth checking out. With gas on the rise, finding cheaper or even free activities is critical. Luckily for us in southern Illinois and our...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Millstone Bluff
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Millstone BluffMillstone Bluff is a day-use recreational site within the Shawnee National Forest located near Simpson in southern Illinois. This site is fairly easy to navigate and hike and is appropriate for younger users and...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Piney Creek Ravine
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Piney Creek RavinePiney Creek Ravine, while well known, is a sort of hidden gem in southern Illinois. It is located on the west side of the state near Ava, Illinois and provides a wonderful hiking opportunity as well as an...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Bell Smith Springs
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Bell Smith SpringsBell Smith Springs is truly a magical place of the Shawnee National Forest. It is home to a popular diving and swimming hole, the largest arch in southern Illinois, iconic rock formations that are even...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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