Monarch Butterflies in Arkansas in May
Yes, May is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Arkansas. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 387 of the 4,259 sightings logged across the year (9.1%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for monarch butterflies in Arkansas
9.1%
of yearly sightings
387
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
4,259
verified records a year
April 10.3%, May 9.1%, June 5.7%. Busiest month is September at 25.1%.
4,259 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
September
1,069 records (25.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 49 | 1.2% |
| April | 437 | 10.3% |
| May | 387 | 9.1% |
| June | 243 | 5.7% |
| July | 190 | 4.5% |
| Augustpeak | 801 | 18.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,069 | 25.1% |
| Octoberpeak | 989 | 23.2% |
| November | 81 | 1.9% |
| December | 9 | 0.2% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 4,259 |
In Arkansas, May carries 9.1% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 0.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (10.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.7%) after. The busiest month is September (25.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Arkansas are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch4,259 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Arkansas
Start with live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial
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 Arkansas Post National Memorial
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Arkansas.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Arkansas
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 Arkansas in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 387 of the 4,259 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Arkansas across the year, which is 9.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see monarch butterflies in Arkansas?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though September and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Arkansas?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, October and August, based on 4,259 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Arkansas?+
The most-recorded species in Arkansas are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Arkansas in other months
More wildlife in Arkansas