Best Time to See Monarch Butterflies in Mississippi
October, September and November is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Mississippi. Based on 1,227 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when monarch butterflies are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
1,227 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
October
287 records (23.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0.8% |
| February | 6 | 0.5% |
| March | 78 | 6.4% |
| April | 131 | 10.7% |
| May | 81 | 6.6% |
| June | 39 | 3.2% |
| July | 32 | 2.6% |
| August | 164 | 13.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 179 | 14.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 287 | 23.4% |
| Novemberpeak | 175 | 14.3% |
| December | 45 | 3.7% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 1,227 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when monarch butterflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for monarch butterflies sit around 46 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Apr | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Jun | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Jul | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sepbest time | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Octbest time | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Novbest time | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on monarch butterflies in Mississippi:
Sightings of monarch butterflies in Mississippi peak in October, when 287 of the year's 1,227 verified observations are logged — about 23.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through October, September and November.
The quietest stretch is February, when monarch butterflies are hardest to find — February sees just 6 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The monarch butterflies you are most likely to encounter in Mississippi are Monarch — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see monarch butterflies in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see monarch butterflies in Mississippi?+
October is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through October, September and November, based on 1,227 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are monarch butterflies hardest to see in Mississippi?+
February is the quietest month for monarch butterflies in Mississippi, with only 6 verified records.
Are monarch butterflies active year-round in Mississippi?+
Monarch butterflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in October.
More places to see monarch butterflies
More wildlife in Mississippi