Monarch Butterflies in Iowa in June
Yes, June is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Iowa. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 273 of the 2,532 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), 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 Iowa
10.8%
of yearly sightings
273
records in June
#4
busiest month of 12
2,532
verified records a year
May 4.1%, June 10.8%, July 21.4%. Busiest month is August at 30.9%.
2,532 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Iowa, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
August
783 records (30.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0.1% |
| April | 4 | 0.2% |
| May | 103 | 4.1% |
| June | 273 | 10.8% |
| Julypeak | 541 | 21.4% |
| Augustpeak | 783 | 30.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 702 | 27.7% |
| October | 123 | 4.9% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 2,532 |
In Iowa, June carries 10.8% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 2.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from May (4.1%) into June, and it heads toward July (21.4%) after. The busiest month is August (30.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Iowa are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch2,532 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Effigy Mounds 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 Effigy Mounds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Iowa.
Viator
Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Iowa
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 Iowa in June?+
Yes. June accounts for 273 of the 2,532 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.
Is June a good time to see monarch butterflies in Iowa?+
June is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Iowa?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 2,532 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Iowa in other months
More wildlife in Iowa