Best Time to See Monarch Butterflies in Kansas
September, August and October is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Kansas. Based on 2,674 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when monarch butterflies are most active across the year in Kansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
2,674 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Kansas, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
September
942 records (35.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 5 | 0.2% |
| April | 60 | 2.2% |
| May | 140 | 5.2% |
| June | 237 | 8.9% |
| July | 235 | 8.8% |
| Augustpeak | 620 | 23.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 942 | 35.2% |
| Octoberpeak | 422 | 15.8% |
| November | 11 | 0.4% |
| December | 2 | 0.1% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 2,674 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when monarch butterflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for monarch butterflies sit around 48 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Feb | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Mar | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| May | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Augbest time | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Octbest time | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on monarch butterflies in Kansas:
Sightings of monarch butterflies in Kansas peak in September, when 942 of the year's 2,674 verified observations are logged — about 35.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, August and October.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when monarch butterflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The monarch butterflies you are most likely to encounter in Kansas are Monarch — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see monarch butterflies in Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see monarch butterflies in Kansas?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, August and October, based on 2,674 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are monarch butterflies hardest to see in Kansas?+
January is the quietest month for monarch butterflies in Kansas, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are monarch butterflies active year-round in Kansas?+
Monarch butterflies are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Kansas, concentrated around September and August.
More places to see monarch butterflies
More wildlife in Kansas