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.
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...
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...
The Shawnee Challenge Turns 3!
The Shawnee Challenge Turns 3!Three years ago this month, I came up with an idea called The Shawnee Challenge. I got the idea for it by seeing a similar challenge in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. I was able to get approval from partnering agencies...
East Peewah Loop Trail Guide
East Peewah Loop Trail GuideThe East Peewah Loop Trail takes you on an adventure through the Indian Creek Wild Area of the Trail of Tears State Park in Southeastern Missouri. This trail is great for day hiking, overnight backpacking, horseback riding, and more. In...
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Guide
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area GuideHave you been to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) before? It's a very large National Recreation Area located in Kentucky and Tennessee. It was initially created by the Tennessee Valley Authority...
Hawk’s Cave Trail Guide
Hawk's Cave Trail GuideHawk's Cave Trail is a short and easy loop trail located in Ferne Clyffe State Park, which is in Goreville, Illinois. The park and the trail are free to visit and hike. The trail features one of the largest natural shelters in the state of...
10 Scenic Easy Senior Hikes in Southern Illinois
10 Scenic Easy Senior Hikes in Southern IllinoisAre you in search of easy senior hikes in Southern Illinois that offer a leisurely stroll and breathtaking scenic views that will inspire you? I get a lot of requests for this type of article, so I wanted to help out and...
10 Pet-Friendly Trails in the Shawnee National Forest
10 Pet-Friendly Trails in the Shawnee National ForestAre you looking for pet-friendly trails in the Shawnee National Forest? Do you love to hike with your dog? Or maybe even your cat? But you’re unsure what trails in the Shawnee National Forest are appropriate for...
Franks Tract Loop in Lusk Creek Wilderness
Franks Tract Loop in Lusk Creek WildernessThe Franks Tract Loop in Lusk Creek Wilderness is a 6.7-mile loop that promises a breathtaking hiking adventure, a journey that I and Michelle savored this summer. This trail, a blend of different designated trails within the...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
East Peewah Loop Trail Guide
East Peewah Loop Trail GuideThe East Peewah Loop Trail takes you on an adventure through the Indian Creek Wild Area of the Trail of Tears State Park in Southeastern Missouri. This trail is great for day hiking, overnight backpacking, horseback riding, and more. In...
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Guide
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area GuideHave you been to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) before? It's a very large National Recreation Area located in Kentucky and Tennessee. It was initially created by the Tennessee Valley Authority...
Hawk’s Cave Trail Guide
Hawk's Cave Trail GuideHawk's Cave Trail is a short and easy loop trail located in Ferne Clyffe State Park, which is in Goreville, Illinois. The park and the trail are free to visit and hike. The trail features one of the largest natural shelters in the state of...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
RightOnTrek Breakfast Meal Review
RightOnTrek Breakfast Meal ReviewI tried something new this morning. I ate a RightOnTrek breakfast meal. It was Cheesy Mushroom Egg Scramble. The name alone made it sound so delicious. I love cheese. I love eggs. I really love mushrooms. But I never thought about...
3 Osprey Hiking Backpack Reviews for Different Hiking Trips
3 Osprey Hiking Backpack Reviews for Different Hiking TripsThe Osprey Hiking Backpack is well known for being a prominent pack for the hiking community. Osprey Packs is a widely-known hiking backpack brand. It is usually a little bit more expensive than other brands,...
Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots Review
Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots ReviewSince I’ve recently purchased my second pair of Oboz waterproof hiking boots, I figured that was a good time to create a review for it. I’ve used these new Oboz Mid Bridger waterproof hiking boots for a few months and those before...
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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