Monarch Butterflies in Kansas in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Kansas. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 422 of the 2,674 sightings logged across the year (15.8%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for monarch butterflies in Kansas
15.8%
of yearly sightings
422
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
2,674
verified records a year
September 35.2%, October 15.8%, November 0.4%. Busiest month is September at 35.2%.
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 |
In Kansas, October carries 15.8% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 7.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (35.2%) into October, and it heads toward November (0.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Kansas are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch2,674 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Kansas
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 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 Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
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 Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Kansas.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Kansas
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 Kansas in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 422 of the 2,674 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Kansas across the year, which is 15.8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see monarch butterflies in Kansas?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, August and October.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Kansas?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and October, based on 2,674 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Kansas?+
The most-recorded species in Kansas are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Kansas in other months
More wildlife in Kansas