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.
A Year-End Review of Adventure with Hiking with Shawn in 2024
A Year-End Review of Adventure with Hiking with Shawn in 2024Welcome to my Year-End Review of Hiking with Shawn. I used to make year-end review videos, which I called Rewinds after YouTube Rewinds. But it takes time to do those and better planning, which I need to...
Dispersed Camping in the Shawnee National Forest
Dispersed Camping in the Shawnee National Forest: What You Need to Know Before You GoDispersed camping in the Shawnee National Forest offers a unique escape, but without the right preparation, it can quickly turn from a dream into a challenge. The lack of amenities...
21 Common Hiking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
21 Common Hiking Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemCommon hiking mistakes can turn an enjoyable outdoor adventure into a stressful or even dangerous experience. Picture yourself lost on a trail, dehydrated, or battling blisters because of poor preparation—these scenarios...
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.
Mooner’s Hollow Trail Guide
Mooner's Hollow Trail GuideMooner's Hollow Trail is a hiking trail located at Saint Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri. This hike is roughly 3 miles in length, moderately difficult, and a true loop trail. This trail is a visual feast, offering a variety of...
Shepard Point Trail Guide
Shepard Point Trail GuideHave you hiked the Shepard Point Trail at Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri yet? Despite being one of the shortest in the state park, the Shepard Point Trail is a rugged gem waiting to be explored. It's not just a trail for exercise and...
Happy Hollow Trail Guide
Happy Hollow Trail GuideThe Happy Hollow Trail is located at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County, Illinois. This trail, which is one of the longest and most moderately rugged within the park, is a favorite among hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders. Its...
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.
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...
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