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.
What are the Best Hiking Trails Nearby in Southern Illinois?
What are the Best Hiking Trails Nearby in Southern Illinois?Are you looking for the best hiking trails nearby where you live? This is a list of some of the best hiking trails in the area of five different communities spread across the southern Illinois region. Surely,...
How To Go Caving at Illinois Caverns
How To Go Caving at Illinois CavernsAre you planning to go caving at Illinois Caverns this year? Illinois Caverns recently opened back up to the public a few years ago after being closed to help protect the native bat population from White Nose Syndrome, a disease...
15 Most Asked Hiking Questions with Honest Answers
15 Most Asked Hiking Questions with Honest AnswersThese are the 15 most asked hiking questions I commonly see. When it comes to hiking, no question is a bad question. Hiking can be rewarding and life-changing as long as you do it right. But if you don’t do it right,...
How to Try Solo Dispersed Wilderness Camping for the First Time
How to Try Solo Dispersed Wilderness Camping for the First TimeHave you ever been solo dispersed wilderness camping? The chance is, if you’re on this article, you haven’t tried it. Or maybe you have, and you’d like more advice to ensure the next time is better. Either...
Banning Pets on Hiking Trails: Agree or Disagree?
Banning Pets on Hiking Trails: Agree or Disagree?How do you feel about public lands banning pets on hiking trails? The banning of pets from hiking trails isn't uncommon. It's a big practice in National Parks, Nature Preserves, State Parks, and other natural areas...
Required Hiking Permits: Should we pay to use hiking trails?
Required Hiking Permits: Should we pay to use popular hiking trails?This article questions and debates the required hiking permits for using popular trails. In most cases, permits for hiking trails will cost money. Some may cost a few dollars, while others could cost...
Giant City Road Biking Route Itinerary
Giant City Road Biking Route ItineraryGiant City road biking is great for many different reasons. It’s scenic. It’s great for fitness. It’s lightly trafficked. Your selected road biking route can make or break your cycling adventure. You spent all that money on a road...
Top 10 Causes of Death While Hiking and How To Avoid Them
Top 10 Causes of Death While Hiking and How To Avoid ThemThere are many causes of death while hiking that you can take practical steps to avoid. For the most part, hiking is generally safe for everyone. But like with any activity, there are dangers present. Some...
Glendixon Mountain Biking Trail Guide
Glendixon Mountain Biking Trail GuideHave you enjoyed some Glendixon mountain biking? Have you ever even heard of Glendixon? It combines words from the local mountain biking community in the Shawnee National Forest area. It’s short for Glendale and Dixon. Glendale...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hotel California Trail Hiking with Shawn Trail Journals
Hotel California Trail Hiking with Shawn Trail JournalsHave you been to the Hotel California Trail at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky? Welcome to the first edition of “Hiking with Shawn Trail Journals.” This article series will give you stories, legends, and lore...
Dixon Springs State Park Visitor Guide
Dixon Springs State Park Visitor GuideDixon Springs State Park is an amazing Illinois State Park. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out. Save this guide for a future visit! If you’ve been and had issues finding things in the park – you’ll appreciate this free...
Tunnel Hill State Trail Guide
Tunnel Hill State Trail GuideTunnel Hill State Trail is a 50+ mile rail trail in Southern Illinois. The trail was once a bustling railroad line during the 1800s into the 1900s, back when there was a coal mining boom in the region. The railway transported coal and...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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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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