Monarch Butterflies in Minnesota in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,824 of the 9,572 sightings logged across the year (29.5%), 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 Minnesota
29.5%
of yearly sightings
2,824
records in August
#1
busiest month of 12
9,572
verified records a year
July 28.8%, August 29.5%, September 15.3%. Busiest month is August at 29.5%.
9,572 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Minnesota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
August
2,824 records (29.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0% |
| April | 3 | 0% |
| May | 268 | 2.8% |
| Junepeak | 2,071 | 21.6% |
| Julypeak | 2,759 | 28.8% |
| Augustpeak | 2,824 | 29.5% |
| September | 1,462 | 15.3% |
| October | 183 | 1.9% |
| November | 1 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 9,572 |
In Minnesota, August carries 29.5% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 21.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between July and August, and it heads toward September (15.3%) 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 Minnesota 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
- Monarch9,572 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage 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 Grand Portage 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 Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Minnesota.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Minnesota
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 Minnesota in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 2,824 of the 9,572 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 29.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and June.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Minnesota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 9,572 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Minnesota in other months
More wildlife in Minnesota