Monarch Butterflies in Minnesota in September
Yes, September is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,462 of the 9,572 sightings logged across the year (15.3%), 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.
Good month for monarch butterflies in Minnesota
15.3%
of yearly sightings
1,462
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
9,572
verified records a year
August 29.5%, September 15.3%, October 1.9%. 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, September carries 15.3% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (29.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (1.9%) after. The busiest month is August (29.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Minnesota 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
- Monarch9,572 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,462 of the 9,572 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 15.3% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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