arizona monster 300

An aerial view of a race event gathering with participants and spectators, featuring a start/finish arch with the word 'Destination' on it, set on a grassy and dirt area with vehicles and tents nearby.
Upcoming Race
2026 ARIZONA MONSTER 300

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

(No Lottery. Registration will be open until sold out)

The Arizona Monster is a 304 mile point to point journey through Southern Arizona's Sonoran desert.

Illustration of a gila monster lizard on a desert with mountains and cacti.

The Arizona Monster is a 304 mile point to point journey through Southern Arizona's Sonoran desert. The Sonoran desert is unique, in that it has subtropical warmth in winter and two seasons of rainfall. This creates an extreme contrast between aridity and moisture supporting diverse flora and fauna. The route is rugged, challenging, and features some of Southern Arizona's most iconic backcountry terrain and high elevation mountains. 

Two hikers with backpacks walking on a winding dirt trail through a desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti, bushes, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

COURSE DETAILS:

LOCATION: Patagonia, Arizona

MILES: 304: point to point

ELEVATION GAIN: 41,162’

ELEVATION LOSS: 42,463’

TERRAIN:

  • 259.1 miles / 84% single-track

  • 34 miles / 10% bike path;

  • 9.5 miles / 3% paved road

  • 6 miles / 2% dirt road

AID STATIONS: 19 aid stations

CUTOFF: 170 hours

This event takes place on National Forest Lands.

Photography by Jason Peters Sarah Attar & Anastasia Wilde

Logo for Western States Endurance Run featuring a black silhouette of a mountain lion on a rock, with text indicating 100 miles in one day, and 2026 qualifying race in red.
Two hikers walking along a winding dirt road in a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Aerial view of a large outdoor event with many people gathering around a purple inflatable arch that says "Destination Trail." There are tents, vehicles, and some people walking or standing scattered around an open grassy area with dirt paths.
A person running on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti, shrubs, and mountains in the background.
A person wearing colorful, artistic running shoes with a landscape painting design on the shoes, standing on a dirt trail.
Desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti, dry shrubs, and mountains in the distance, under a cloudy sky.
A group of hikers wearing backpacks and athletic clothing walking on a trail in a desert landscape with cacti, dry bushes, and rocky hills under a partly cloudy sky.
Four hikers walking along a dirt trail in a desert landscape with tall cacti, dry bushes, and rocky mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Two hikers walking on a dirt trail through a desert landscape with tall cacti and sparse bushes.
Two hikers walking along a dirt trail in a desert landscape with cacti, shrubs, and rocky mountains in the background.
A person running on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with sparse bushes and cacti, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
Desert landscape with cacti and rocky mountain under a cloudy sky.
Desert landscape during sunset with a dirt trail, cacti, shrubs, and mountains in the background.
Desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti, dry shrubbery, and red rock mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
People participating in an outdoor race event, many wearing athletic clothing and backpacks, passing under a purple archway that reads 'Destination Trail' with a scenic landscape and mountains in the background.
Group of people participating in an outdoor trail running event, starting or ending at an archway that reads 'Destination Trail,' with hills and cloudy sky in the background.
Group of marathon runners gathering at the starting line under cloudy sky with mountainous desert background
Group of people gathered at the starting line of a Destination Trail race under an inflatable arch with mountain scenery in the background
Group of people gathered at the start of a trail race under a large purple archway labeled "Destination Trail." One person in a black jacket with a megaphone is speaking to the crowd.
An aerial view of people gathering outdoors for a trail running event, with an inflatable arch at the start line labeled 'Destination Trail' and various tents and vehicles nearby.
A man hiking in a desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti, wearing sunglasses, a hoodie, shorts, and a yellow backpack.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Email us at volunteer@destinationtrailrun.com