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.
Best Budget Winter Hiking Gear Under $50
Best Budget Winter Hiking Gear Under $50Are you looking for the best budget winter hiking gear you can find this season? Winter hiking doesn’t have to be expensive. With the rising gear costs, you can use smart budgeting tactics and still enjoy winter hiking....
Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail Guide
Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail GuideHave you ever hiked the Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail at Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Eastern Kentucky? In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking this trail, from...
Osprey Talon 6 Waist Pack Review
Osprey Talon 6 Waist Pack ReviewThe Osprey Talon 6 Waist Pack is a great option for day hikers who don’t want to carry a load on their backs. The Talon 6 Waist Pack by Osprey Packs is definitely one of a kind for hiking day packs. Instead of putting a load on your...
10 of My Favorite Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois for 2026
10 of My Favorite Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois for 2026Are you ready to chase frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois? It’s already January, and you know what that means. It means it’s likely going to get colder, and any rain or snow that falls will aid in...
Grays Arch Trail Guide
Grays Arch Trail GuideHave you hiked on the Grays Arch Trail at Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky yet? Grays Arch Trail is quite an amazing hike and might be our favorite trail so far when we visited Red River Gorge back in the summer. Not only do you get to see an...
Sam A Baker Fire Tower and Mudslick Trail Video
Sam A Baker Fire Tower and Mudslick Trail VideoIn this video, we visit Missouri’s Sam A Baker State Park. We hike the Fire Tower Trail, then take the Mudslick Trail to complete the loop.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can expect to see in this video: An...
Nada Tunnel Guide
Nada Tunnel GuideHave you ever driven through the Nada Tunnel in Red River Gorge, Kentucky? This tunnel is more than just an old tunnel in the roadway. It’s the Gateway to Red River Gorge and all the great trails that you’ll be so anxious to start hiking on. It’s...
Pea Gravel Overlook Backpacking Adventure Video
Pea Gravel Overlook Backpacking Adventure VideoIn this video, we hike to Pea Gravel Overlook in the Shawnee National Forest for a backpacking trip. We camp, cook, and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Shawnee National Forest has to offer.What You’ll See IN THIS VIDEO...
REI Swiftland 9 Running Short Tights Review
REI Swiftland 9 Running Short Tights ReviewThis is my review of the REI Swiftland 9 Running Short Tights for hiking and trail running. These short tights are designed for hiking and trail running. This review is for the men’s version of these shorts. There was a...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail Guide
Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail GuideHave you ever hiked the Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock Trail at Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Eastern Kentucky? In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking this trail, from...
Grays Arch Trail Guide
Grays Arch Trail GuideHave you hiked on the Grays Arch Trail at Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky yet? Grays Arch Trail is quite an amazing hike and might be our favorite trail so far when we visited Red River Gorge back in the summer. Not only do you get to see an...
Sam A Baker Fire Tower and Mudslick Trail Video
Sam A Baker Fire Tower and Mudslick Trail VideoIn this video, we visit Missouri’s Sam A Baker State Park. We hike the Fire Tower Trail, then take the Mudslick Trail to complete the loop.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can expect to see in this video: An...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights for Hiking and Trail Running
BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights for Hiking and Trail RunningAre BOA Constrictor Plus Half Tights a good option for hiking and trail running? BOA Half Tights are a performance-style compression short from the BOA brand. These shorts are meant to be worn alone and for...
Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail Running
Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail RunningJanji Trail Tights have become my go-to tights for hiking and trail running when the weather is cool outside. The trail tights by Janji are for everyone, really. You can wear them hiking, trail running, backpacking, and...
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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