Monarch Butterflies in Arizona in December
Yes, December is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Arizona. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 277 of the 2,392 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for monarch butterflies in Arizona
11.6%
of yearly sightings
277
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
2,392
verified records a year
November 16.9%, December 11.6%, January 7.2%. Busiest month is October at 17.1%.
2,392 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
October
409 records (17.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 173 | 7.2% |
| February | 131 | 5.5% |
| March | 147 | 6.1% |
| April | 122 | 5.1% |
| May | 70 | 2.9% |
| June | 30 | 1.3% |
| July | 85 | 3.6% |
| August | 204 | 8.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 340 | 14.2% |
| Octoberpeak | 409 | 17.1% |
| Novemberpeak | 404 | 16.9% |
| December | 277 | 11.6% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 2,392 |
In Arizona, December carries 11.6% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 3.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (16.9%) into December, and it heads toward January (7.2%) after. The busiest month is October (17.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Arizona are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch2,392 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Arizona
Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Arizona.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Arizona
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see monarch butterflies in Arizona in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 277 of the 2,392 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see monarch butterflies in Arizona?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though October and November is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Arizona?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, November and September, based on 2,392 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Arizona in other months
More wildlife in Arizona