There’s something magical about seeing Mount Rainier for the first time — that massive, snow-covered volcano rising out of the clouds doesn’t look real until you’re standing at its base.

For our family’s 10-day Washington adventure, we flew into Seattle, spent a few days exploring Mount Rainier National Park, crossed the ferry to Olympic National Park, and finished our trip in Seattle.
This post covers our Mount Rainier stay — where we slept, how we booked it with points, and which trails we loved most with kids in early June.

Flights & Transportation

We flew round-trip from Kansas City (MCI) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport using our Southwest Companion Pass and Rapid Rewards® points.
The total for all four of us was just under $45 roundtrip.

If you’re new to this strategy, read Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat for the full guide.

For our rental car, I redeemed Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for a full-size SUV in the Chase Travel Portal and paid $0 out of pocket.
I always use my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when booking rental cars with points or cash since it includes excellent primary rental-car insurance coverage.

From Seattle, it’s about a two-hour drive to Ashford, the main gateway to Mount Rainier National Park.

Stay: Paradise Village Cabins in Ashford, Washington

We stayed at Paradise Village, a rustic-but-adorable property just outside the park entrance. I booked it through the Chase Travel Portal using Ultimate Rewards points.

• Location: Ashford, Washington (5 minutes from the Nisqually Entrance)
• Redeemed: Chase Ultimate Rewards points inside the portal
• Room Type: Cozy cabin with kitchenette
• Cost: ≈ $275 per night cash value

Using the portal is perfect when chain hotels or transfer partners aren’t nearby. In smaller markets like National Parks, flexible points make all the difference.

Tip: If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, points redeem at 1.25 ¢ each. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, they’re worth 1.5 ¢ each — so 100 K points = $1,250 or $1,500 in travel value respectively.

What to Do at Mount Rainier in Early June

June can be tricky — higher elevation areas like Paradise often still have snow, so many trails remain partly covered. We focused on lower elevation family-friendly hikes that were open and beautiful even with spring conditions.

1. Silver Falls Loop (Hwy 123, near Ohanapecosh Campground)

• Distance: ~3 miles loop
• Elevation gain: 300 ft
• Open: Usually May through October
  A must-do with kids! This loop follows the Ohanapecosh River through lush forest to a gorgeous waterfall and bridge crossing. The trail is easy, shady, and absolutely stunning — our kids loved it.

2. Trail of the Shadows (Longmire Historic District)

• Distance: 0.7 mile loop
• Elevation gain: Minimal
  Flat, quick, and filled with interpretive signs about the park’s early history. There’s a log cabin and bubbling hot springs along the trail — perfect for young kids and strollers.

3. Twin Firs Loop

• Distance: 0.4 mile
• Elevation gain: Minimal
  A quiet stop just inside the Nisqually Entrance. An old-growth forest trail where you can show kids massive Douglas firs and nurse logs teeming with life.

4. Myrtle Falls via Skyline Trail (from Paradise Visitor Center)

• Distance: 1 mile roundtrip to the falls viewpoint
• Note: The paved section to Myrtle Falls is usually open by early June even if the upper Skyline Trail is snow-covered. The view of Mount Rainier behind the waterfall is iconic and worth the stop.

5. Grove of the Patriarchs (East Side near Stevens Canyon)

• Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
• Status: Sometimes partially closed for bridge repairs — check current conditions before going. When open, it’s an easy walk through massive old-growth cedars and firs with a suspension bridge crossing the Ohanapecosh River.

Each trail offered something different — from mossy rainforest vibes to mountain views — and all were accessible with kids in early June.

Where We Ate

Ashford is small but mighty when it comes to food.

• Wild Berry Restaurant: Nepali-American menu and great views.
• Basecamp Bar & Grill: Burgers, pizza, and a casual patio.
• Paradise Village Café: Our morning go-to for coffee and pancakes.

We also packed groceries from Seattle and made simple meals in our cabin to save time and money.

What to Pack

Even in June, you’ll want layers and rain gear. The weather can change every hour.

Essentials:

• Rain pants and jackets (for sure!)
• Hiking boots or waterproof trail shoes
• Extra warm layers and socks
• Snacks and reusable water bottles
• Printed/offline maps (no service in many areas)

Cards That Made This Trip Possible

This entire trip — flights, rental car, and lodging — was booked using points and miles.

• Flights: Southwest points + Companion Pass
• Rental Car: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
• Lodging: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points in the portal

If you’re ready to start traveling this way, check out:

• Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat
• How to Book Rental Cars with Points
• Chase Ultimate Rewards® Transfer Partners Guide

If you decide to open a card for travel rewards, I appreciate you using my affiliate links — it’s a free-to-you way to support all the free resources I share. Thank you!

Final Thoughts

Mount Rainier completely stole our hearts. The Silver Falls Loop ended up being our family’s favorite — easy enough for kids but so beautiful that we lingered for photos and picnics. Between the rainforest greenery and snow-capped mountain views, it felt like we were hiking through a storybook.

After a few days of hiking and exploring, we headed across Puget Sound to Olympic National Park — you can read that post next here. Together, these two parks make an unforgettable Pacific Northwest loop that’s perfect for families.