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.
5 Must Visit Scenic Creeks around the Shawnee National Forest
5 Must Visit Scenic Creeks around the Shawnee National Forest Scenic creeks make for great photography moments. Whether you’re a professional using a high-end DSLR camera or an amateur using your smart phone camera, a good scenic creek provides an excellent...
PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Top 5 Waterfalls Away From the Masses in Southern Illinois
PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Top 5 Waterfalls Away From the Masses in Southern IllinoisWaterfalls in southern Illinois are probably one of our better features of the Shawnee National Forest. But a lot of them can get pretty crowded on active days. Getting a good view or photo...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek Loop
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek LoopMax Creek is an interesting hike for different reasons. Max Creek, the actual creek itself is very scenic and provides a nice view. The trail offers various waterfalls and is a fun hike during different seasons of...
Southern Illinois Cycling for Beginners
Southern Illinois Cycling for BeginnersLive in Southern Illinois and want to start cycling? Then this guide is for you! Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, bicycling has really sparked an interest in folks all over the country. Just southern Illinois alone,...
PATREON EXCLUSIVE: 5 Less Populated Areas of the Shawnee for Viewing Fall Colors
PATREON EXCLUSIVE: 5 Less Populated Areas of the Shawnee for Viewing Fall Colors This article is a Patreon Exclusive meaning it was created exclusively for Patreon members of Hiking with Shawn and will not be released to the public outside of Patreon subscribers. The...
Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine Hills
Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine HillsLaRue Pine Hills is one of my favorite areas to visit throughout all the seasons of the year but especially during the spring and during the fall. LaRue Pine Hills is home to the world-famous Forest...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Big H
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Big HBig H or H-Rock is a natural window/arch feature located in Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area in the Shawnee National Forest. There is a nice 6.3-mile loop (650-foot elevation gain) from the main Observation Trail Day-Use...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cedar Creek Wonders
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cedar Creek WondersCedar Creek Wonders is a uniquely presented feature of the Shawnee National Forest located in the more middle section of the Shawnee Purchase Unit. Cedar Creek Wonders is an excellent waterfall chasing spot...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cave-In-Rock State Park
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Cave-In-Rock State ParkCave-In-Rock State Park is a history-rich state park located on the southern Illinois side of the Ohio River. The area has a history for being a popular place used by river pirates and outlaws as early as...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road Guide
LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road Guide For those interested in visiting Snake Road in Southern Illinois LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road Guide LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road is a very unique forest road that is a part of the National Forest system of the United States. LaRue Pine...
Shawnee National Forest Trail 049
Shawnee National Forest Trail 049Trail 049 Directions When traveling from Marion, Illinois, you can follow these instructions on Google Maps to get to the East Trigg Trailhead parking lot. The parking lot is on the west side of the road and it large enough for...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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