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.
55 Cold Weather Hiking Tips to Keep Your Hiking All Winter Long
55 Cold Weather Hiking Tips to Keep Your Hiking All Winter LongAre you intimidated by the thought of cold weather hiking? You shouldn’t be. It’s not as scary as it might seem. In fact, it’s one of the best times to go hiking. There are no ticks and mosquitoes. The...
10 of the Best Illinois State Parks in Southern Illinois
10 of the Best Illinois State Parks in Southern IllinoisSome of the best Illinois State Parks are obviously located in the southern portion of the state. The Shawnee National Forest surrounds Southern Illinois. There are more natural features in southernmost Illinois...
24 Amazing Winter Hiking Benefits to Get You Hiking this Winter
24 Amazing Winter Hiking Benefits to Get You Hiking this WinterAre you aware of all the amazing winter hiking benefits that you can take advantage of? Some people stay inside all winter. They don’t hike because it’s cold and too dangerous. Sure, it can get cold, but...
How to Plan Your Hike: A Guide for Hiking Without Worry
How to Plan Your Hike: A Guide for Hiking Without WorryDo you plan your hike? If not, you should. Planning your hike can help you ensure that you have the best hike possible. It helps you make the right decisions. It helps you stay safe on the trail. It helps you have...
The Ten Hiking Essentials for Every Hiker
The Ten Hiking Essentials for Every HikerAre you using the ten hiking essentials every time you go for a hike? If you’re not, you should be. These essentials are there to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience. A lot of things can happen on even a...
Hiking for Beginners: An Ultimate Hiking Guide
Hiking for Beginners: An Ultimate Hiking GuideAre you looking for an ultimate guide all about hiking for beginners? Well, you’ve come to the right blog. This guide is all about hiking for beginners. Even if you’re not a beginner, you might find some helpful...
2023 Annual Black Friday Hike
2023 Annual Black Friday HikeThe annual Black Friday Hike is approaching. It’s this Friday! Location: Jackson Falls Trailhead Time: 10:00 AM CST Hike: Trail 049 Loop (6 miles) Conditions and Difficulty: Moderately rugged with rolling hills, creek crossings, uneven...
Biggest Hiking Challenges: A Guide to Overcoming Common Hiking Problems
Biggest Hiking Challenges: A Guide to Overcoming Common Hiking ProblemsWhat are the biggest hiking challenges that you run into? Chances are, you’ve had some challenges with hiking. I know I have and still do, and I’ve hiked multiple days a week, every week, for the...
5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Hiking in the Shawnee National Forest
5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Hiking in the Shawnee National ForestThere are many things I wish I had known before hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. These are things I now know and practice regularly. But if I had known about them before, I probably would have...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking Guide
Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff Hiking GuideHave you ever hiked Bork Falls to Cedar Bluff (or reverse)? If you haven’t yet, and you’re looking for a nice long out-and-back hike, this would be an excellent hiking trip for you to enjoy. This hike is around 10 miles out and...
Lake Glendale Recreation Area Guide
Lake Glendale Recreation Area GuideLake Glendale Recreation Area has something for everyone, and it’s located in a central part of the Shawnee National Forest that, gives you easier access to many great areas around the forest and southern Illinois. Lake Glendale is...
Ranbarger Hiking Trail
Ranbarger Hiking TrailMy recent video features the Ranbarger Hiking Trail within the Shawnee National Forest. This trail is a part of the Bald Knob Wilderness. To access the Ranbarger hiking trail, start at Godwin East. Enter Bald Knob Wilderness Area on the River to...
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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