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 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...
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...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
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...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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...
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...
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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