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.
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,...
ASMR LBL Creek Hike Video
ASMR LBL Creek Hike VideoIn this video, we explore a creek located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and hike down to it. Although there is some talking in this video, I've tried my best to create an ASMR-type video for you to...
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...
How to Navigate Hiking Trails in Heavy Snow
How to Navigate Hiking Trails in Heavy SnowKnowing how to navigate hiking trails in heavy snow is an important skill, as it can help keep you safe and sound. During a heavy snowstorm, you can imagine that a hiking trail is going to be treacherous. Trail blazes will be...
One Horse Gap Video Guide
One Horse Gap Video GuideIn this video, we visit the One Horse Gap area of the Shawnee National Forest. We explore One Horse Gap, Rocky Top overlook, and the Story Cemetery, where a Cherokee woman is buried.What You’ll See at One Horse Gap There is a lot to see when...
10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do This Hiking Season!
10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do in 2026Are you looking for Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to hike this upcoming hiking season? Start the new year off right by choosing some of the best loop hiking trails the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. These...
Camp Cadiz Road Video Guide
Camp Cadiz Road Video GuideWe recently hiked a section of the Camp Cadiz Road near Camp Cadiz. We also hiked along an older historical section of the River to River Trail. We got to see quite a bit on this hike and also face quite a few challenges.What You’ll See...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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,...
Stoneface Trail Video Guide
Stoneface Trail Video GuideIn this video, we visit the Stoneface Trail in the Fall. Stoneface is located around Eagle Mountain in the Shawnee National Forest, and while we love visiting when it’s covered in snow more than any other time, visiting during fall colors...
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...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
Impetro Gear Backpack: A Comprehensive Review
Impetro Gear Backpack: A Comprehensive ReviewThis is a review of the Impetro Gear Backpack. Just for full transparency, I use affiliate links in this review. That means I earn a commission for every sale made, but it doesn't impact your price. You can search for the...
Peak Refuel Meals Review
Peak Refuel Meals ReviewI'm usually a Mountain House Meals kind of guy, but I wanted to try something new, so I grabbed a couple of Peak Refuel Meals to try out on my last big camping trip. My wife and I went on our last big camping trip, which was to the Great Smoky...
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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