Monarch Butterflies in Michigan in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Michigan. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,736 of the 9,875 sightings logged across the year (17.6%), 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
17.6%
of yearly sightings
1,736
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
9,875
verified records a year
August 32.9%, September 17.6%, October 2.1%. 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, September carries 17.6% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 9.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (32.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September 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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Michigan.
Viator
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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,736 of the 9,875 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 17.6% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in Michigan?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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