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.
How to Road Bike on a Budget (Guide for Cheap Road Biking)
How to Road Bike on a Budget (Guide for Cheap Road Biking)I got the idea for this road bike on a budget guide after writing my recent guide about hiking on a budget. Road biking can be expensive. My basic entry-level race bike was over $3,000 when I bought it new. But...
How to Hike on a Budget (Guide to Cheap Hiking)
How to Hike on a Budget (Guide to Cheap Hiking)Are you looking to hike on a budget but are worried that it will be too expensive? I’m sure you’ve heard that hiking is expensive. Expensive clothes, expensive boots. Expensive backpack, expensive trekking polls. All that...
Rendleman Orchards Group Hike with Hiking with Shawn
Rendleman Orchards Group Hike with Hiking with ShawnWhen? Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM CST Where? Rendleman Orchards, Alto Pass, Illinois (Google Maps Directions) Price? Solo Hikers = $3.00 / Family or Group (3 or more) is $5 (CASH ONLY, please bring exact...
Hiking Survival Gear List
Hiking Survival Gear ListDo you take the needed hiking survival gear with you? Not having the right gear could result in a very negative hiking experience if things go wrong on the trail. It's better to be prepared than unprepared in any event. This same truth goes...
Limekiln Springs Hike this Saturday
Limekiln Springs Hike this SaturdayWhere? Hiking the Limekiln Springs Trail in Ullin, Illinois. When? Hike starts at 9:00 AM and will go until about 1:00 PM at most on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Meet at Limekiln Springs Trail (West Trailhead). Take Shawnee...
How to Start Mountain Biking in the Shawnee National Forest
How to Start Mountain Biking in the Shawnee National ForestHave you ever wanted to see more of the Shawnee National Forest without having to quit because it's getting too late? Mountain biking in the Shawnee National Forest allows you to see more of what the forest...
Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?
Are You Carrying Too Much in Your Backpack?You could be making the mistake of carrying too much in your backpack. And that could lead to an array of different problems for you. It can create wear and tear on your backpack. It can cause your hiking gear to become...
Outdoor Adventures in Southern Illinois for Every Season
Outdoor Adventures in Southern Illinois for Every SeasonAre you looking for outdoor adventures in Southern Illinois? Maybe you’re more of a spring adventurer. Or maybe you like going outdoors in the fall the most. You could be a winter-only outdoor adventurer. And...
How to Train for Hiking to Able to Hike Anything
How to Train for Hiking to Able to Hike AnythingAre you looking for best practices for how to train for hiking? The more you train to be a better hiker, the better at hiking you can get. That means it'll be easier for you to hike longer and take tougher trails. By...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Illinois Iron Furnace Guide
Illinois Iron Furnace GuideIllinois Iron Furnace isn’t just a nice spot for a picnic on a warm sunny day. It’s the last remaining Iron Furnace in the region. It’s a piece of southern Illinois history worth seeing for yourself. Illinois Iron Furnace is the last iron...
Giant City Red Cedar Trail Guide
Giant City Red Cedar Trail GuideGiant City Red Cedar Trail is the longest hiking trail within Giant City State Park. It is commonly used by hikers, backpackers, trail runners, birders, and nature watchers. Getting to Giant City Red Cedar Trail is easy. The trail is...
Giant City Indian Creek Trail Guide
Giant City Indian Creek Trail GuideGiant City Indian Creek Trail is a short but scenic hike that is often overlooked by many people enjoying a visit to Giant City State Park. Like with most things with the word "Indian" in the name, this trail has some Native American...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Hiking with Shawn™ All Rights Are Reserved.
Hiking with Shawn® is a Registered Trademark of Hiking with Shawn, LLC
Hiking with Shawn is not affiliated with any local, state, or federal government agency.
