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

The Arizona Monster is a 300.5-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. 

Note: Unlike other races, the Arizona Monster has a payment plan option available through UltraSignup — simply select it at checkout when you register.

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, AZ to Superior, AZ

MILES: 300.5 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: 150 hours

This event takes place on National Forest Lands.

Photography by Jason PetersSarah 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.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Email us at volunteer@destinationtrailrun.com