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.
Echo Bluff State Park Video Guide
Echo Bluff State Park Video GuideIn this video, we revisit Echo Bluff State Park near Eminence, Missouri. This is one of our favorite places to visit when we go to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, usually every year. We always feel welcome at Echo Bluff State...
White Oaks Trail Guide
White Oaks Trail GuideWhite Oaks Trail, located at Hawn State Park near New Offenburg in Missouri, is a great trail where you should go hiking. This is a lollipop loop trail that is moderately difficult with some creek crossings and rolling hills. The trail is 4.2...
Klepzig Mill Video Guide
Klepzig Mill Video GuideIn this video, we head to Klepzig Mill for the first time. It was beautiful to say the least. Klepzig Mill is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. Next time we visit, we’ll hike more on the trail there.What You’ll See in...
10 Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops to Get Holiday Gifts from This Year
10 Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops to Get Holiday Gifts from This YearYou should buy from local Southern Illinois gift shops this holiday season. Shopping local will help the community and give you a better experience. While there is way more than 10 to list, there...
Alley Spring and Mill Video Guide
Alley Spring and Mill Video GuideIn this video, we hike to Alley Spring and Mill in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. This hike was done during the Government Shutdown, and while park staff were not present, the public was allowed to visit.What You’ll...
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for Outdoor Adventures
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for Outdoor AdventuresI’ve been using the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Sports Watch for most of the year and, so far, it has been the ultimate outdoor watch. I’m using this watch as my everyday watch, but mainly for...
Building the Perfect Winter Day Hiking Kit
Building the Perfect Winter Day Hiking KitIt’s time you built your perfect winter day hiking kit so that you can enjoy the magic of winter hiking without worrying about the grim hazards that come with it. Winter hiking requires you to plan specifically. That’s because...
Rocky Falls Video Guide
Rocky Falls Video GuideThis is the start of a new video series featuring our annual family trip to Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. In this video, we visit Rocky Falls which is a cool cascade and waterfall area where you can walk all around.What You’ll See...
10 Southern Illinois Hiking Spots to Work Off Your Thanksgiving Dinner
10 Southern Illinois Hiking Spots to Work Off Your Thanksgiving DinnerAre you going to be looking for Southern Illinois hiking spots to work off your Thanksgiving dinner (or breakfast if you’re like my family)? Lucky for you, Southern Illinois is full of these great...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Bluffage Hunting at Wolfden Hollow Video
Bluffage Hunting at Wolfden Hollow VideoIn this video, we return to Wolfden Hollow in the Shawnee National Forest at Cedar Lake to look for bluffage. It rains on us the entire time and it’s cold, but we still find a lot of cool sights to share.What You’ll See in this...
Hidden Arch and Silvermine Arch Trail Guide
Hidden Arch and Silvermine Arch Trail GuideHidden Arch and Silvermine Arch Trail are located at Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky. The Hidden Arch Trail is a 2-mile loop with around 250 feet of elevation gain. The Silvermine Arch Trail is about 3 miles out-and-back...
Bushwhacking Across the Creek from Owl Bluff Video
Bushwhacking Across the Creek from Owl Bluff VideoIn this video, we travel to an area across Lusk Creek from the bottom of the Owl Bluff to bushwhack. We do this to find an old trail, squeeze rocks, bluffage, and more.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
SurviveX First Aid Kit Review for Hikers
SurviveX First Aid Kit Review for HikersHave you heard of the SurviveX first aid kit for hikers? It is always advisable to carry a first aid kit on your hikes. You never know when a mishap will occur on the hiking trail. Having the right emergency supplies will enable...
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Review for Backpacking
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Review for BackpackingHave you ever heard of the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove? When backpacking, choosing the right stove is important. If you choose one that doesn’t work well, that might stop you from eating your meal. Not getting a...
Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for Backpacking
Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for BackpackingThe Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a well-known water filter used in the hiking and backpacking community. Aside from its widespread recognition, the filter has been in use and extensively tested for many years within the...
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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