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.

A Cabin, Llamas and WATERFALLS GALORE!!!

A Cabin, Llamas and WATERFALLS GALORE!!!

A Cabin, Llamas and WATERFALLS GALORE!My Stay at Rim Rock's Dogwood Cabins and Waterfall Chasing in Garden of the Gods Wilderness A Goat.Photo Courtesy of Hiking with Shawn The title of this write-up is catchy and funny but I feel like you need a backstory before we...

Snake Road Fall Migration 2018 was a Success!

Snake Road Migration Fall 2018 SuccessFollow Hiking with Shawn on Instagram:Snake Road Fall Migration 2018 was probably the most successful Snake Road herping season that I have ever experienced in all the years I've been going to LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road. I...

Day Hiking Gear: 4 Essentials for a Successful Day Hike

Day Hiking Gear: 4 Essentials for a Successful Day Hike

Day Hiking Gear 4 Essentials for a Successful Day Hike When it comes to day hiking gear, we tend to think that we don’t need to pack that much day hiking gear because we’re not going to be out in the forest that long. However, we tend to forget the underlining issues...

Hiking with Shawn Featured on the Local News

Hiking with Shawn Featured on the Local News

Hiking with Shawn Featured on the Local NewsMud Snake (Farancia abacura) Photo Courtesy, Hiking with Shawn Hiking with Shawn featured on a local news channel, recently! SNAKES - that is what earned me a spot on the news, specifically, my journeys to LaRue Pine Hills...

Support Shawnee National Forest and other Local Natural Areas

You can support Shawnee National Forest and other local nature areas by becoming a member and/or donating to the various organizations that were created to support Shawnee National Forest and our local state parks and natural areas. Let me start by saying this article...

Shawnee National Forest Hiking Guide for Beginners

Shawnee National Forest Hiking Guide for BeginnersShawnee National Forest Hiking might sound intimidating to you and that the task may not be as easy as you'd like it to be, but the truth is, Shawnee National Forest hiking and outdoor recreation can be for anyone of...

Panther Den Wilderness Loop Hiking Trail with Two Bobs Adventures

Panther Den Wilderness Loop Hiking Trail With Two Bobs Adventures (Photo by Shawn Gossman, Hiking with Shawn) Panther Den Wilderness Loop Hiking Trail is a trail that all locals and visitors alike should check out at least once during their visits to the Shawnee...

5 Shawnee National Forest Hikes without the Crowds

5 Shawnee National Forest Hikes without the Crowds Here are 5 Shawnee National Forest Hikes that you can go on without having to deal with a lot of tourists. At many popular Shawnee National Forest Hikes, there are usually a lot of people also visiting the area. Some...

Shawnee National Forest Sand Cave Hike

Shawnee National Forest Sand Cave Hike

Shawnee National Forest Sand Cave Hike Shawnee National Forest Sand Cave is not only a good hike but the Shawnee National Forest Sand Cave has its roots dug into a historical time when the lives of men, women and children depended on the Shawnee National Forest Sand...

Latest Trail Guides

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

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Latest Gear Reviews

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

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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.

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