Category: Mt.Rainier National Park

hiking, Mt.Rainier National Park, pnw, Review, travel

Snowshoeing Mt. Rainier With Kids: Myrtle Falls Trail Guide

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

Mt.Rainier

We planned a family snowshoe day at Mt. Rainier not knowing what the snow levels would be—but we decided to show up anyway.

And wow… we were rewarded with a bluebird day, empty parking lots, and one of the most peaceful winter hikes we’ve done as a family.

Starting our Adventure

We chose the Myrtle Falls trail—mostly flat, kid-friendly, and absolutely stunning in the snow. The bridge crossing was the trickiest part (snow covered with a drop off ), but we went slow and took our time which made all the difference.

The view from one side of Myrtle Falls
Slowly crossing the waterfall

We veered off to a steep up hill side trail for panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, we soaked it all in, and snapped way too many photos 📸

Approaching Myrtle Falls and the bridge
Look at this beautiful Mountain and the beauty all around

The kids were happiest just playing in the snow every chance they got—and after burning all those calories, everyone was very ready for pizza 🍕

Heading back
On our way back to Paradise parking lot. One of my favorite views

Hot Cocoa for Littles and Coffee for Mom

Are you ready for your adventure at Mt.Rainier Snowshoeing? If so check out my Snowshoeing Guide below ⬇️

❄️ Family Snowshoeing Guide: Myrtle Falls at Mt. Rainier

Snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier can feel intimidating with kids—but with the right trail and prep, it can be one of the most magical winter adventures. Here’s our experience snowshoeing the Myrtle Falls Trail and everything you need to know before you go.

📍 Trail Overview

Location: Paradise Area, Mt. Rainier National Park

Myrtle Falls (winter route)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: ~1 mile round trip (can be extended)

Elevation Gain: Minimal around 160 elevation gain

Best For: Families, beginners, kids, first-time snowshoers

This trail is mostly flat with gentle inclines, making it ideal for little legs and families new to snowshoeing.

❄️ What to Expect on the Trail

Snow-covered paths with stunning Mountain Views

Quiet winter scenery (especially on weekdays)

A magical waterfall at Myrtle Falls

Open areas perfect for kids to stop, play, and explore

⚠️ Important note:

The bridge near Myrtle Falls can be snow-covered. We crossed carefully by stepping slowly on packed snow. Take your time, assess conditions, and don’t hesitate to turn back if it feels unsafe.Do not try to go around the bridge. You could be on snow that is not safe and fall through .

🥾 What We Wore & Brought

❄️Gear:

Snowshoes (rentals work great!)

Waterproof boots

Trekking poles

❄️Clothing:

Waterproof snow pants

Insulated jackets

Warm gloves + hats

Extra layers (kids get wet fast!)

❄️Extras:

Snacks & water

Camera 📸

Hand warmers

Backpack for shedding layers

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for Snowshoeing With Kids

Go slow and keep expectations flexible

Stop often—snow play is half the fun

Snacks are a game changer

Turn back before everyone is exhausted

Motivate with a warm beverage waiting back at car ( hot cocoa ,tea or coffee )

Snowshoeing burns a lot of calories, so plan for food after—trust me 😉

🍕 Where We Ate After

After heading off the mountain, we stopped in Eatonville at a local pizzeria to refuel. Warm food + tired kids = happy ending to the day.

🌲 Why We Loved This Trail

Beginner-friendly

Incredible views with minimal effort

Peaceful winter experience

Perfect mix of adventure + play

A great introduction to winter hiking with kids

🏔️Final Thoughts

You don’t need perfect conditions or expert skills to enjoy snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier. Showing up prepared, moving slowly, and embracing the adventure makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly winter trail, Myrtle Falls is a beautiful place to start.

Would you try snowshoeing with your kids?

family adventures, hiking, Mt.Rainier National Park, Review

Family Review ~Copper Creek Hut ~ Mt. Rainier

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We had the opportunity to stay at one of the Mt. Rainier Huts and jumped on it! We really had no idea on what to expect since it was our first time ever doing something like this but it was a great first time experience for our family and we can’t wait to go again!

The Hut was a welcome sight after the hike in with all our gear. Cabin on top of the mountain.. what’s not to love ! The Hut was clean and fully stocked and even had extra gear in case it was needed like poles or snowshoes. We were greeted with a banner of multi flags that reminded us of Everest basecamp , which we loved! It was a well appointed hut with a mudroom to leave your gear in like snowshoes, boots , poles and shoes . There was a kitchen , several tables to eat at or play games and a few couches by the fire. There was running water and electricity by solar . Upstairs hosted several sets of bunkbeds and some individual beds (twin) for sleeping.

The fully stocked kitchen
Fireplace
View from the outhouse
Playing a game

The stats for this trail are ⬇️

📍 CopperCreek Hut viaRainier Vista Trail

🧭  Ashford, Wa

🥾  10.9 miles RT ( we came in at 8 )

🏔️  1692 ft elevation gain ( we gained 800)

⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple 

The road was open for us so this changes the stats. If the road is closed then it would come in closer to AllTrails.

Coffee after the hike up

Watching the sun set was amazing! So beautiful!

The next morning , we headed out to explore some more . Look at this view we found!

We hiked to the Tenth Mountain viewpoint and it came in at 3 miles rt . We were able to just use our microspikes but we did post hole some. Overall we hiked about 11 miles and a 1000 elevation including the hut rt .

You do have to make reservations to stay. You can do that here ⬇️

https://skimtta.org/information-page-copper-creek/

The cost is $15 per person.

Here is some more info from Mount Tahoma Trails Association has on their website. 

Copper Creek is located in the North District and is only open during the winter. The maximum capacity of the hut is 14 people. Copper Creek Hut is located within the Mt. Rainier Gateway Forest, a wildlife preserve, so please leave your dog at home. Dogs are not allowed in the North District.

How far is it to Copper Creek?

The trek to Copper Creek Hut is:

  • 3.2 miles with 800’ of elevation gain from the upper sno-park.
  • 4.3 miles with 1,070’ of elevation gain from the middle sno-park (least frequently used).
  • 5.4 miles with 1,570’ of elevation gain from the lower sno-park.

What is in Copper Creek?

Sleeping Arrangements: Sleeps 14. 

Kitchen:

  • Cook stove and oven (Propane)
  • Pots, sauce pans, frying pans, bakeware, mixing bowls, measuring cups, cooking utensils, plates, bowls, cups, silverware, knives, and cutting boards
  • Cleaning supplies – dish soap, hand soap, Clorox, etc.
  • Toilet paper, paper towels

Water Filter System: Rain water is collected in the summer. In the winter, water comes from snow melt. There is a water filter system to provide clean drinking water.

Other Items: Some other amenities you will find:

  • Books/MagazinesRestrooms: An outhouse are located outside of the hut.
  • Propane fireplace
  • Solar powered lighting
  • First Aid Kit
  • Large dining table
  • Games (cards, board games, etc.)

Have you ever stayed at a hut on Mt. Rainier?

Check out our reel ⬇️

coffee, hiking, Mt.Rainier National Park

Kuju Coffee Review

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

We recently had an overnight at a Mt. Rainier Hut and so I knew I wanted some coffee for our stay . I picked this up at REI and I was so impressed with it! First of all , how can you not love the name basecamp when you are doing an outdoor mountain adventure?
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As soon as we made it to the hut and after getting settled , I made a cup of coffee. It was so good! There is something about being on top of the mountain in a hut with a cup of hot coffee in hand. My friend and I headed out to the deck to enjoy as our littles played in the snow and we savored each drop with the beautiful background.


I really love the design and functionality of the coffee.
Each filter fits into your cup and you tear the top off then pour hot water . Delish! Perfect pour over ☕️ It is perfect for outdoor adventures and officially added to my hiking gear .

Mt.Rainier National Park, pnw, Review

BaseCamp Bar & Grill

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

The Mountaineers Base Camp Bar & Grill was the perfect place to stop and grab dinner after finishing a hike near Mt. Rainier.
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The atmosphere was a mix of adventurerers and locals.
No one seemed to judge us being filthy from climbing so that was good:)



We wanted to try a drink but were unsure so they offered us tasters to taste which was a fun treat! We loved them so much we purchased both of the ones we tried so it worked! The food was ok and average price.



When we stopped they also had live music. I have to say it was pretty fantastic to eat a burger, enjoy a beer and listen to some music!


If you are planning a trip to the Mt. Rainer area then plan to stop on your way through 🏔️

family adventures, history, Mt.Rainier National Park, pnw

Stevens – Van Trump Historical Monument

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“Our Secret Rainier”by Mountaineers Gene Yore and Mickey Eisenberg refer to these harder to find memorials and plaques of those that have added to the history of Mt. Rainier.
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The Stevens – Van Trump Historical Monument is one of these. It is located on the Skyline Loop Trail by the Mazama Ridge. It is made in the form of a bench so that climbers can sit and reflect on the climbers of past summit push.

This was a welcome site as we descended the Skyline Loop Trail .