Monarch Butterflies in Utah: Identification Guide and Best Places to Start

Where are monarch butterflies most likely to be seen in Utah?

Your best odds are along the Wasatch Front, particularly in Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis counties. Look for them in open fields, vacant lots, and gardens that have milkweed (their host plant) and nectar-rich flowers like goldenrod, rabbitbrush, and asters. The wetlands around Great Salt Lake and the Utah Lake wetlands also get migrating monarchs in late summer. Start with your local group garden or a nearby nature center with native plantings.

See our state wildlife page for the next step.

When is the best time of year to spot monarch butterflies in Utah?

Monarchs pass through Utah primarily from mid-August through early October, with the peak often in September. This is the fall migration window when they move south toward Mexico. A few early migrants might appear in late July, and spring recolonizers are possible in May and June, but fall is the most reliable season. Warm, sunny afternoons with light wind are ideal. Check weather patterns: after a cold front clears out, monarchs often stop to refuel.

See our Monarch Butterflies guide for the next step.

How can you identify a monarch butterfly and tell it apart from lookalikes?

Monarchs have bright orange wings with thick black veins and a double row of white spots on the black wing borders. Their wingspan is about 3.5–4 inches. The key lookalike in Utah is the viceroy butterfly, which is slightly smaller and has a black line across the hindwing that mimics the monarch's veins. Also, the queen butterfly (rare in Utah) lacks the black borders and has more white spots. Look for the slow, gliding flight and the way they bounce on flowers with their wings closed.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

What is the monarch butterfly migration route through Utah?

Utah sits along the Intermountain West flyway. Monarchs come from the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, crossing into Utah through mountain passes like the Wasatch and Uinta ranges. They follow corridors with reliable nectar sources, often hugging valley floors and riparian areas. Many funnel through the Great Basin and then head southwest toward the Mogollon Rim and eventually Mexico. You can contribute sightings to citizen science projects like the Southwest Monarch Study to help map their routes.

How can you attract monarch butterflies to your Utah garden?

Plant milkweed! In Utah, native milkweed species include showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). They need full sun and well-drained soil. Also include nectar plants like bee balm, coneflower, and Mexican sunflower. Avoid pesticides and keep a shallow water dish with pebbles. Monarchs are most often seen in yards that have clusters of flowers from late summer into fall. If you have space, leave a patch of bare soil for puddling.