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.

Upcoming Events for the Total Solar Eclipse Weekend and Other Days

Upcoming Events for the Total Solar Eclipse Weekend and Other DaysFor this week's blog post, I've decided to share some of my last newsletter on the Total Solar Eclipse events that are occurring around southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest. It includes...

The 2024 Dirty South Roubaix Recap

The 2024 Dirty South Roubaix RecapI did the Dirty South Roubaix this year for the first time. This is my race recap of what I experienced and what my overall thoughts of the race were. A Roubaix (pronounced Roo Bay) is a mix of mud, dirty, paved, and mixed road...

The Hiker’s Code: Unwritten Rules of Trail Etiquette

The Hiker's Code: Unwritten Rules of Trail EtiquetteTo me, there’s something about going out on the trails, either solo or with friends, that will always hold a special place in my heart. It doesn’t matter if I’m having a good or bad day, I always look forward to...

Top 10 Spring Hikes in the Shawnee National Forest

Top 10 Spring Hikes in the Shawnee National ForestAre you as ready for spring hikes in the Shawnee National Forest as I am? It’s when the wildflowers start to bloom, and the green slowly starts to return to the vast Shawnee National Forest. I’m just about ready to go...

The Outdoor Economic Summit

The Outdoor Economic SummitAbout a week ago or so, I sat in on the Outdoor Economic Summit at SIU’s Touch of Nature Educational Center in Makanda. It was put on by the folks at Southern Illinois Now, which is an organization with an aim to help people move to, stay...

Hiking Gear Essentials: What to Pack for Your Next Adventure

Hiking Gear Essentials: What to Pack for Your Next AdventureAre you carrying the important hiking gear essentials with you on your day hikes? The last thing you want to do is get stranded in the forest and not have the right tools to keep you safe and sound while you...

Ultralight Backpacking Guide

Ultralight Backpacking GuideUltralight backpacking is a type of multi-day hiking that emphasizes bringing less amounts of gear and focusing on lighter-weight items. The idea of going backpacking with ultralight in mind is for when you want to go faster, travel...

13 Different Types of Hiking to Try Today

13 Different Types of Hiking to Try TodayThere are many different types of hiking styles to choose from. Whether you’re into day hiking, backpacking, or specialized hiking, there is a style of hiking that is best for you. You might find yourself trying out many...

Latest Trail Guides

Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

Eagle Falls Waterfall Hiking Guide

Eagle Falls Waterfall Hiking GuideHave you ever heard of the Eagle Falls Waterfall? This amazing waterfall is attached to an old trail in the Bell Smith Springs area that is no longer being maintained, likely due to budget cuts. Access to this waterfall is rugged,...

Cache River State Natural Area Guide

Cache River State Natural Area GuideCache River State Natural Area is a nearly 15,000-acre Illinois state natural area with ample opportunities for fish and game, outdoor recreation, and educational programming. Visitors can enjoy miles upon miles of hiking, biking,...

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Guide

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area GuideHave you ever visited Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois? It's an amazing spot for all different kinds of recreational uses. Whether you're a boater, kayaker, fisherman, hunter, cyclist, hiker,...

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Latest Gear Reviews

Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.

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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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