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.
5 Routes for Scenic Driving in the Shawnee National Forest
5 Routes for Scenic Driving in the Shawnee National ForestThere are many great opportunities for scenic driving in the Shawnee National Forest. Whether you’re in your family sedan or a 4x4 jeep, there are many different routes with many different features. You’ll see...
10 Great Shawnee National Forest Hiking Trails on All Trails
10 Great Shawnee National Forest Hiking Trails on All TrailsAre you looking for a good Shawnee National Forest hiking trails on All Trails? All Trails is a free and premium phone application that shows you local hiking trails in your area with all the information...
A Guide to Hutchins Creek in the Shawnee National Forest
A Guide to Hutchins Creek in the Shawnee National ForestHave you ever been to Hutchins Creek in the Shawnee National Forest? Hutchins Creek is located near Alto Pass in Union County, Illinois. The creek is known as the landmark which separates the two wilderness areas...
Different Types of Trails and Trail Difficulty Explained
Different Types of Trails and Trail Difficulty ExplainedWant to know all about different types of trails and what all the difficulty ratings mean exactly? Sometimes, a trail that looks easy might be listed as moderately difficult. That could either make you think it’s...
Lower Cache River Area Guide
Lower Cache River Area GuideThe Lower Cache River area is a section of the Cache River State Natural Area that might not be as often visited as much as places like Heron Pond and Wildcat Bluff. It’s a wonderful area that truly offers multiple types of outdoor...
How Hard is it to Hike Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest?
How Hard is it to Hike Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest?Is it hard to hike Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest? The short answer is YES and NO. The long answer is the information below, which I have collected in an effort to show any...
10 Outdoor Activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest
10 Outdoor Activities to do in the Shawnee National ForestThere are many different types of outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest. Most of these outdoor activities are free, too. You just need to show up with your gear or the required method and then...
Hiking to the Bottom of Owl Bluff in Lusk Creek Wilderness
Hiking to the Bottom of Owl Bluff in Lusk Creek WildernessWe recently hiked to the bottom of Owl Bluff in the Lusk Creek Wilderness of the Shawnee National Forest. Even though it was during leaf-off, this wasn’t an easy hike. We had to hike a few miles of the trail...
Garden of the Gods Wilderness (Northeast Corner)
Garden of the Gods Wilderness (Northeast Corner)I recently published a video that depicts the very northeast area of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. I was scrolling through my map app (OnX Hunt) one day and realized it was an area of Garden of the Gods Wilderness...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Indian Kitchen Trail Video Guide
Indian Kitchen Trail Video GuideIndian Kitchen Trail is located in Lusk Creek Wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. This out-and-back trail features amazing bluffs, Native American history, and the scenic Lusk Creek.What You’ll See on the...
Buttermilk Hill Beach Trail Guide
Buttermilk Hill Beach Trail GuideButtermilk Hill Beach Trail is a multi-use, out-and-back trail located on Kinkaid Lake in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois. The hike is around 7.6 miles. This is an out-and-back trail that requires you to hike a long...
Kinkaid Spillway Trail Guide
Kinkaid Spillway Trail GuideIf you haven’t hiked the Kinkaid Spillway Trail yet, you’re missing out. The Kinkaid Spillway Trail is a moderately rugged out-and-back hike of less than one mile located at the Kinkaid Lake Spillway near the City of Murphysboro, Illinois....
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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