Monarch Butterflies in Missouri in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Missouri. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 613 of the 5,555 sightings logged across the year (11%), 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 Missouri
11%
of yearly sightings
613
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
5,555
verified records a year
September 33.8%, October 11%, November 0.5%. Busiest month is September at 33.8%.
5,555 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Missouri, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
September
1,878 records (33.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 0.1% |
| April | 138 | 2.5% |
| May | 351 | 6.3% |
| June | 434 | 7.8% |
| July | 463 | 8.3% |
| Augustpeak | 1,641 | 29.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,878 | 33.8% |
| Octoberpeak | 613 | 11% |
| November | 30 | 0.5% |
| December | 2 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 5,555 |
In Missouri, October carries 11% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 2.7 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 September (33.8%) into October, and it heads toward November (0.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Missouri are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch5,555 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver 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 George Washington Carver 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 George Washington Carver National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Missouri.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Missouri
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 Missouri in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 613 of the 5,555 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see monarch butterflies in Missouri?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, August and October.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Missouri?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and October, based on 5,555 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Missouri in other months
More wildlife in Missouri