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.
13 Different Types of Hiking to Try Today
13 Different Types of Hiking to Try TodayThere are many different types of hiking styles to choose from. Whether you’re into day hiking, backpacking, or specialized hiking, there is a style of hiking that is best for you. You might find yourself trying out many...
Top 10 Hiking with Shawn Videos in 2023
Top 10 Hiking with Shawn Videos to Watch TodayReady for the top 10 most viewed Hiking with Shawn videos in 2023? Now that 2024 is here – let’s rewind back to last year and see what videos were the best that I put out. I always like to review this sort of thing just to...
How to Hike in the Winter: Your Ultimate Winter Hiking Guide
How to Hike in the Winter: Your Ultimate Winter Hiking GuideDo you hike in the winter? Many do. Some don’t. For those that do hike during the winter, they enjoy many different benefits of winter hiking. Those benefits include fewer biting bugs, most snakes are asleep,...
10 Amazing Southern Illinois Frozen Waterfalls Away from Crowds
10 Amazing Southern Illinois Frozen Waterfalls Away from the CrowdsTis the season for Southern Illinois frozen waterfalls. As I’m writing this post, the temperature outside feels like -6 degrees. What does that mean aside from it being dangerously cold? It means water...
How to Start Backpacking: A Guide to Multi-Day Hiking for Beginners
How to Start Backpacking: A Guide to Multi-Day Hiking for BeginnersBackpacking is a great way to fall in love with outdoor recreation. This is especially true if you already enjoy camping and hiking. You’re simply combining the two activities together and enjoying...
55 Cold Weather Hiking Tips to Keep Your Hiking All Winter Long
55 Cold Weather Hiking Tips to Keep Your Hiking All Winter LongAre you intimidated by the thought of cold weather hiking? You shouldn’t be. It’s not as scary as it might seem. In fact, it’s one of the best times to go hiking. There are no ticks and mosquitoes. The...
10 of the Best Illinois State Parks in Southern Illinois
10 of the Best Illinois State Parks in Southern IllinoisSome of the best Illinois State Parks are obviously located in the southern portion of the state. The Shawnee National Forest surrounds Southern Illinois. There are more natural features in southernmost Illinois...
24 Amazing Winter Hiking Benefits to Get You Hiking this Winter
24 Amazing Winter Hiking Benefits to Get You Hiking this WinterAre you aware of all the amazing winter hiking benefits that you can take advantage of? Some people stay inside all winter. They don’t hike because it’s cold and too dangerous. Sure, it can get cold, but...
How to Plan Your Hike: A Guide for Hiking Without Worry
How to Plan Your Hike: A Guide for Hiking Without WorryDo you plan your hike? If not, you should. Planning your hike can help you ensure that you have the best hike possible. It helps you make the right decisions. It helps you stay safe on the trail. It helps you have...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Guide
Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area GuideHave you ever visited Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois? It's an amazing spot for all different kinds of recreational uses. Whether you're a boater, kayaker, fisherman, hunter, cyclist, hiker,...
Abneyville Rock Trail Guide
Abneyville Rock Trail GuideThe Abneyville Rock Trail is a short but very remote hiking trail located in the northwestern Shawnee National Forest near Sand Ridge, with the closest city being Murphysboro. The trail is around four miles out-and-back and has roughly 600...
Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking Guide
Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking GuideHave you ever hiked Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff (or reverse)? If you haven’t yet, and you’re looking for a nice long out-and-back hike, this would be an excellent hiking trip for you to enjoy. This hike is around 10 miles out and...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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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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