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.
Trigg Tours 2025 Video
Trigg Tours 2025 VideoIn this video, I join a large of tourists and go see several historical areas in Southern Illinois. We visit many cool spots and get interpretive history on the annual Trigg Tours event that has been going on since before the Shawnee National...
Columbus-Belmont State Park Guide
Columbus-Belmont State Park GuideHave you ever been to Columbus-Belmont State Park in Kentucky? If not, you sure are missing out on a great state park. This state park is very historical and there is a lot to see. There is a museum, hiking trails, and even a snack...
Abandoned Places at Land Between the Lakes Video
Abandoned Places at Land Between the Lakes VideoIn this video, we visit some backroads around the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. We find an area with an old foundation and what looks like an old out-house or a foundation for some sort of...
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...
Preventing Frostbite and Hypothermia on a Day Hike
Preventing Frostbite and Hypothermia on a Day HikeAs a hiker, preventing frostbite and hypothermia while day hiking is essential. Winter hiking offers many benefits. No bugs, no snakes, no spider webs. You can see everything, and you’re not sweating so much. However,...
Homer’s Garage Video Guide
Homer’s Garage Video GuideIn this video, we explore an old settlement located within Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. The old settlement features Homer’s Garage, which has an old foundation and an old school bus that has been heavily graffitied over the years.What...
10 Great Hiking Trails to Avoid Hunters in Southern Illinois
10 Great Hiking Trails to Avoid Hunters in Southern IllinoisNeed ideas for hiking trails to avoid hunters in Southern Illinois this firearm hunting season? It’s safer for you to hike on trails where hunting is prohibited. It is the responsibility of the hunter to...
The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video Guide
The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video GuideIn this video, I share my experience from staying at the Dome at Blueberry Hill. The Dome at Blueberry Hill Video Guide features a dome-shaped Airbnb home that is probably one of the most unique places to stay in the Shawnee...
Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook Guide
Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook GuideHave you ever been to Fort Jefferson Hill Scenic Overlook near Wickliffe, Kentucky? This is a great roadside stop if you’re visiting Wickliffe Mounds or biking on the Mississippi River Trail. It features a beautiful overlook,...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin Video
Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin VideoIn this video, we are staying at Cedar Pond Mushroom Cabin located near Stonefort, Illinois. This is a fun Airbnb that offers a true nature experience.What You’ll See in this Video This is what you can expect to see on the Cedar Pond...
Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration Video
Snake Road 2025 Fall Migration VideoThis video contains several trips to LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road during the 2025 fall migration season. Each year, in the spring and in the fall, we visit this road to watch the migration of snakes and other wildlife.What You’ll See...
Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Guide
Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail GuidePickle Springs Natural Area is a short but very scenic trail with a lot to see, located near Farmington, Missouri. This is a loop trail consisting of around 2 miles. The trail is moderately difficult with some rolling hills,...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?
GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?Are you wondering if the GoPro Hero 12 would make a good camera for hiking vlogs? The quick answer is yes and no. It really depends on what you’re wanting to get out of your videos. The long answer is in this...
Ultimate Review: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote (Men’s Hiking Shoe)
Ultimate Review: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote (Men’s Hiking Shoe)I’m reviewing the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote hiking shoe for those who may be looking for a new hiking or trail running shoe. Although it’s advertised as a hiking shoe, I also use it for trail running....
Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots Review
Men's Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots ReviewThis is my review of the Men's Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots! These versatile shoes, marketed as low hiking boots but more akin to hiking shoes, have been my trusted companions for a few months now. I'm...
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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