Which Mammoth is for me?
- Mar 19
- 10 min read
We’ve been asked a lot about categorizing our hikes, ranking them from “easy to difficult” to help you make a decision which one’s the right one for you or which one you should tackle next. One reason we’ve never done this is because there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for “difficulty”. For some participants, hiking on a flat but sandy trail in 85 degrees is a lot more difficult than climbing some serious elevation on a chilly fall day – can you relate? 😉
Still, we want to give it a shot! However, we won’t categorize or rank our events but more “characterize” each MammothMarch for you.
Either way which one you decide to pick up next, please remember that all of our MammothMarches feature drop-out spots where you can tap out and take a shuttle back to the main venue. You think the elevation is intimidating (let alone the distance)? Dare to try! “It always seems impossible until it’s done”, right?
Before we let you browse through the list, here’s a quick definition of elevation gain: It is the accumulated ascent (uphill) in a route. Downhill sections (elevation loss) are not subtracted from this total. Example: A hike with 500 feet of climbing, a 200-foot descent, and a final 200-foot climb has an elevation gain of 700 feet (500 + 200).
The following list is sorted alphabetically and based on the most recent events held or scheduled.
Alabama
In a nutshell: A fan-favorite and therefore hosted on two consecutive days, Oak Mountain State Park is a challenging yet incredibly beautiful hiking destination. You’ll love everything the Park and our host Discover Shelby has to offer.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 2,300 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, forest floor, dirt & gravel trails, lake views and lots of trees.
Closest airport: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Intl Airport (BHM), 30 mins to event
Arizona
In a nutshell: Snowbird destination for a reason with wide open trails, cactus & mountain views; This MammothMarch just hits different compared to all our other hikes – and we love it! It will pose a challenge but with moderate elevation gain/incline.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,200 ft
Trail type/terrain: Picture an Arizona desert trail with cacti & mountain views: This is exactly what you get (a great mixture of mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt & gravel trails)
Closest airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), 40 mins to event
Arkansas
In a nutshell: A 2026 first-time destination, Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and one of the most iconic landforms of the U.S. Interior Highlands. It’s one of the more challenging MammothMarches aka you’ll feel your legs the next day.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 2,200 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking & biking trails, forest floor, dirt & gravel trails
Closest airport: Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport Little Rock (LIT), 30 mins to event
Boston
In a nutshell: One of South Shore’s hidden attractions, the heavily wooded Wompatuck State Park is a MammothMarch for everyone and beginner-friendly (we’d say). A Plus: Makes for the perfect weekend getaway to explore Boston, the cultural center of New England.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 950 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of everything: Paved and unpaved hiking trails, dirt & gravel trails, streams and ponds.
Closest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 45 mins to event
Cuyahoga Valley
In a nutshell: Our unique National Park edition in northeast Ohio aka the mother of all MammothMarches has become a bucket list event for hikers all across the nation. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s hard to put the unique atmosphere into words. It feels like MammothMarch’s unofficial “annual meeting”.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,700 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt & gravel trails, forest floor with a small stretch along the scenic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath (less than 2 mi. in total)
Closest airport: Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE), 45 mins to event
Delaware Valley
In a nutshell: Actually located in northeast Maryland, the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area is one of the most typical MammothMarches: A challenge for sure (no mountains to climb but also not too many flat sections at a stretch), 100% nature and an almost perfect single-circuit loop.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,850 ft
Trail type/terrain: Dirt & gravel hiking trails & forest floor
Closest airports: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 50 mins to event & Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), 75 mins to event
East Tennessee
In a nutshell: MammothMarch takes over Tennessee’s largest State Park, including their modern Lodge, for a full weekend of hiking. Hosted on two consecutive days, it has become the biggest MammothMarch event for a reason: Beautiful trails, cascades, gorges, streams, and the actual Fall Creek Falls – at 256 feet one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern US – make East Tennessee an absolute highlight.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,500 ft
Trail type/terrain: Dirt & gravel hiking trails & forest floor; a highlight for all participants towards the end of the route: Crossing a magnificent suspension bridge...
Closest airports: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), 75 mins to event, Nashville International Airport (BNA), 2 hrs to event
Georgia
In a nutshell: It took a while for us to find a the perfect host in Georgia and we think our two co-hosts do not disappoint: Indian Springs State Park and the Dauset Trails welcome you to a beautiful fall challenge with lots of nature and scenic views.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,300 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of mainly unpaved hiking & dirt trails as well as forest floor.
Closest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Atlanta (ATL), 75 mins to event
Hudson Valley
In a nutshell: It’s called “the beast” for a reason: The elevation gain is among the highest you can expect at a 20-mile Mammoth, the rocky terrain only adds to the challenge. However, it is also one of our most scenic and rewarding events with stunning (lake) views, remote hiking trails and pure nature. Dare to dream!
Elevation gain/most recent route: 2,900 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of mainly unpaved hiking & dirt trails as well as forest floor.
Closest airport: Newark International Airport (EWR), 50 mins to event
Illinois
In a nutshell: A new 2026 MammothMarch and our Illinois premiere, Jim Edgar Panther Creek will welcome you for a scenic route featuring grassland & rare hill prairie that is home to a rich assortment of wildlife. A little less elevation than the average Mammoth makes this a beginner-friendly 20-miler.
Elevation gain: 850 ft. (to be expected)
Trail type/terrain: Mainly dirt & gravel hiking trails, forest floor & prairie
Closest airports: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 2 hrs to event; Chicago airports (Midway or O’Hare), 3 hrs/30 mins to event
Indiana
In a nutshell: America’s Heartland is calling with Versailles State Park putting the beautiful rolling hills of southeastern Indiana on display. Although it doesn’t feature a lot of elevation, it will put your legs to a test due to the variety of hiking and horse trails.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,200 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt & horse trails, gravel and forest floor.
Closest airports: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), 60 mins to event; Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), 90 mins to event; Indianapolis International Airport (IND), 2 hrs to event
Michigan
In a nutshell: Our Stony Creek Metropark edition features almost everything but a ton of elevation which makes it a beginner-friendly Mammoth: lush woodlands, gorgeous wetlands, tallgrass prairies, lakeview trails, and expansive fields in every direction. A summer in Michigan never disappoints!
Elevation gain/most recent route: 750 ft
Trail type/terrain: A mix of everything ranging from unpaved hiking & dirt trails to forest floor, paved lakeview trails and prairie
Closest airport: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), 60 mins to event
Minnesota
In a nutshell: Our hiking route puts St. Croix State Park’s beauty on full display. It is flanked by the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway. If you love fall colors, you can’t miss this one. In addition, it is fairly beginner-friendly with little elevation change.
Elevation gain (expected): 400 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads, forest floor & prairie
Closest airport: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), 90 mins to event
Missouri
In a nutshell: Hosted by multiple entities, our hikers explore a broad variety of different trails, including the statewide Katy Trail, the Weldon Spring Conservation Area as well as a stunning Lewis & Clark Trail loop overlooking the Missouri River.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,100 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mixture of paved and unpaved hiking trails, dirt & gravel trails as well as forest floor.
Closest airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 35 mins to event
New Hampshire
In a nutshell: Bear Brook State Park is a true hidden gem and it feels like one of the best-kept secrets on our Mammoth tour. A stunning location, a beautiful venue, a challenging but not brutal route, a heavily forested park featuring seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,700 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of mainly unpaved hiking & dirt trails, gravel & forest floor.
Closest airports: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), 30 mins to event; Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 90 mins to event
North Carolina
In a nutshell: The picturesque Lake James and its beautiful trail system awaits and features steep, forested ridges covered with hardwoods, pines and hemlocks. It is one of our most typical MammothMarches with lots of wonderful hiking trails, lake views, and moderate elevation gain. If you like nature, water and forests, you’ll love MammothMarch NC.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,500 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of mainly unpaved hiking & dirt trails, gravel & forest floor.
Closest airports: Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) & Charlotte/Douglas International airport (CLT), both 90 mins to event
Northeast Florida
In a nutshell: Our Dunns Creek edition is also known as the “sandy beast”. And for good reason as Florida makes up for the lack of elevation with a lot of sand so be prepared for a challenge even with basically no elevation. We typically welcome a lot of snowbirds for our season opener – and a lot of hikers who use our Northeast Florida event to have a goal during the winter months.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 200 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mixture of mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads and forest floor with a lot of sand.
Closest airports: Orlando International airport (MCO), 1.5 hrs to event; Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), 90 mins to event
Oregon
In a nutshell: When you ask our frequent hikers & staff, Silver Falls State Park is a lock among the “top 3 most scenic MammothMarches” all year. You want to hike behind gorgeous waterfalls, in the remote back country and get an extra kick from a real challenging route with some decent incline, you don’t want to miss our stop at the biggest state Park or as Oregon calls it, the “crown jewel” of the Oregon Park system.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 2,900 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of unpaved and paved hiking trails, dirt, gravel & forest trails.
Closest airports: Salem-Willamette Valley Airport (SLE), 30 mins to event; Portland International Airport (PDX), 90 mins to event
Pennsylvania
In a nutshell: We are eagerly awaiting our Pennsylvania premiere hosted by North Park on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. We’ve already had a large following in the Keystone State and we cannot wait to tackle these 20 challenging miles for the first time in October ’26.
Elevation gain (expected): 2,400 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, rock/dirt trails and forest floor
Closest airport: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), 35 mins to event
South Carolina (feat. 20 & 30 miles)
In a nutshell: Our two routes will put the beautiful eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on full display. Our 30-mile participants are in for a special treat as their course includes parts of Kings Mountain National Military Park, a historical Revolutionary War site. It can’t get more “Mammoth” than with our South Carolina edition!
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,500 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt & horse trails, gravel and forest floor.
Closest airport: Charlotte/Douglas International airport (CLT), 30 mins to event
Southeast Ohio
In a nutshell: Burr Oak State Park is an absolutely gorgeous piece of land. Our 20-mile route leads around Burr Oak Lake and features shaded lakeview trails as far as the eye can see. Although the total elevation gain seems fairly average for a MammothMarch, be prepared for a tough hike. It’s so worth it though…
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,700 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads, forest floor.
Closest airport: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), 90 mins to event
Tampa Bay
In a nutshell: Loved by locals and snowbirds likewise, our season finale never disappoints! Who doesn’t want to escape the early winter days and trade it in for palm trees and maybe an extra day at the beach?! Alafia River State Park and our 20-miler are scenic and even feature a little bit of elevation – untypical for our home state. 😉
Elevation gain/most recent route: 500 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mixture of mainly unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads and forest floor with a few sandy stretches.
Closest airports: Tampa International airport (TPA), 45 mins to event; Orlando International Airport (MCO), 90 mins to event
Texas
In a nutshell: Everything’s bigger in Texas and so is our Mammoth in the Lone Star State: Hosted on two consecutive days, Dinosaur Valley State Park was the first-ever event that sold out on both event days and the small town of Glen Rose had more participants in town then residents. It’s a challenging yet beautiful course that features a scenic crossing over the Paluxy River where participants can spot actual Dino footprints at various tracks sites.
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,400 ft
Trail type/terrain: Mainly unpaved hiking trails, rock/dirt trails, horse trails, gravel roads and forest floor, including its hilly, hardscrabble limestone terrain
Closest airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), 90 mins to event
Upstate New York
In a nutshell: We make a bold prediction and say that “America’s Best State Park” might be the most scenic Mammoth there is. Letchworth State Park (aka the “Grand Canyon of the East”) has quickly become one of our most popular events. It’s a challenging route with a few brutal stairs towards the end which your legs will remember for a few days. 😉 Tickets (and nearby hotel rooms) go extremely fast…
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,500 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of everything: Paved and unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads, forest floor.
Closest airports: Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BMH); Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), both 60 mins to event
Virginia
In a nutshell: A Mammoth that sells out rather fast and not to our surprise! Our 20 miles lead along lush trails, beautiful lakes, and features just about everything you ask for. Plus, you’ll be sore but will still feel your legs a day after and can explore everything else Pocahontas State Park has to offer. 😉
Elevation gain/most recent route: 1,200 ft
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of unpaved and paved hiking trails, dirt & gravel trails as well as shaded forest roads.
Closest airport: Richmond International Airport (RIC), 30 mins to event
Wisconsin (feat. 20 & 30 miles)
In a nutshell: The excessive trail system of the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest has been home to one of just a few 20 & 30-mile MammothMarches. Parts of the route lead along the famous Ice Age Trail, one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the US. The routes have a few challenging stretches but don’t feature a lot of elevation. Plus, there is so much daylight in June, even the 30-milers start and finish while it’s light. 😉
Trail type/terrain: A great mix of everything: Paved and unpaved hiking trails, dirt trails, gravel roads, forest floor
Closest airport: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), 50 mins to event