Monarch Butterflies in Michigan in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Michigan. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 3,245 of the 9,875 sightings logged across the year (32.9%), 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 Michigan
32.9%
of yearly sightings
3,245
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
9,875
verified records a year
July 32.9%, August 32.9%, September 17.6%. Busiest month is July at 32.9%.
9,875 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Michigan, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
July
3,253 records (32.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0% |
| April | 6 | 0.1% |
| May | 179 | 1.8% |
| June | 1,226 | 12.4% |
| Julypeak | 3,253 | 32.9% |
| Augustpeak | 3,245 | 32.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,736 | 17.6% |
| October | 209 | 2.1% |
| November | 12 | 0.1% |
| December | 5 | 0.1% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 9,875 |
In Michigan, August carries 32.9% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 24.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between July and August, and it heads toward September (17.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Michigan are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch9,875 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Isle Royale National Park
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 Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Michigan.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Michigan
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 Michigan in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 3,245 of the 9,875 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 32.9% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see monarch butterflies in Michigan?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and September.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Michigan?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 9,875 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Michigan in other months
More wildlife in Michigan