Hiking with Shawn

Welcome to Hiking with Shawn, your premiere source for trail guides, services, hiking tips, and resources for adventuring in the Shawnee National Forest and State Parks in Southern Illinois.

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Latest Blog Posts from Hiking with Shawn

Check out the latest blog posts from Hiking with Shawn. Be sure to head over to my main blog for access to all my posts.

Red Hills State Park Guide

Red Hills State Park Guide

Red Hills State Park GuideRed Hills State Park in Southern Illinois is a fun park that offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, lake activities, and dining. This might be a state park that many in the southernmost counties have heard of. However,...

Red Cedar Backpacking Trip Video Guide

Red Cedar Backpacking Trip Video Guide

Red Cedar Backpacking Trip Video GuideThis summer, we backpacked the Red Cedar Trail at Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois. We took a two-day, one-night backpacking trip and also completed the Red Cedar Challenge during our stay.What You’ll See Along the Red...

Yaktrax Review for Winter Hiking

Yaktrax Review for Winter Hiking

Yaktrax Review for Winter HikingHave you ever used Yaktrax on your hike before? This gear item securely attaches to your footwear to improve traction on snow and ice. Hiking in the winter often means increased dangers of slipping and falling. But Yaktrax can help...

Latest Local Hiking Trail Guides

Check out the hiking, cycling, and kayaking Trail Guides by Hiking with Shawn. Visit my Main Trail Guides page to see all the guides.

Indian Point Trail Video Guide

Indian Point Trail Video GuideIndian Point Trail is located within the Garden of the Gods Wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest near Herod, Illinois. This lollipop loop hiker-only trail will give you some of the most amazing views of the wilderness and the Shawnee...

Wolfden Hollow Trail Video Guide

Wolfden Hollow Trail Video Guide

Wolfden Hollow Trail Video GuideWolfden Hollow Trail is located within the Cedar Lake trail system in the Shawnee National Forest near Carbondale, Illinois. This lollipop loop trail offers many sights, including access to nearby Cedar Lake.What You’ll See on the...

Kincaid Mounds Visitor Guide

Kincaid Mounds Visitor Guide

Kincaid Mounds Visitor GuideHave you ever been to Kincaid Mounds in Southern Illinois? I’m not talking about Cahokia Mounds, which features multiple mounds you can walk on and a visitor center. I'm talking about the smaller mound site located in rural Southern...

Latest Gear Reviews by Hiking with Shawn

Check out the latest hiking, cycling, and kayaking gear reviews by Hiking with Shawn. Visit my Main Gear Reviews page to see all my reviews.

Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for Backpacking

Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for Backpacking

Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for BackpackingThe Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a well-known water filter used in the hiking and backpacking community. Aside from its widespread recognition, the filter has been in use and extensively tested for many years within the...

GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?

GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?

GoPro Hero 12 Review for Hiking Vloggers: Is it worth it?Are you wondering if the GoPro Hero 12 would make a good camera for hiking vlogs? The quick answer is yes and no. It really depends on what you’re wanting to get out of your videos. The long answer is in this...

Ultimate Review: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Coyote (Men’s Hiking Shoe)

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....

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