Monarch Butterflies in New Jersey in September

Yes, September is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,956 of the 7,701 sightings logged across the year (25.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Monarch photographed in New JerseyMonarch photographed in New JerseyMonarch photographed in New Jersey
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for monarch butterflies in New Jersey

25.4%

of yearly sightings

1,956

records in September

#2

busiest month of 12

7,701

verified records a year

August 29.8%, September 25.4%, October 14.4%. Busiest month is August at 29.8%.

Best months: August, September, JulyPeak season right now

7,701 verified observations of monarch butterflies in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When monarch butterflies are recorded in New Jersey

Peak month

August

2,293 records (29.8% of the year)

Quietest month

February

1 records

MonthObservationsShare
January20%
February10%
March50.1%
April210.3%
May1141.5%
June4646%
Julypeak1,66821.7%
Augustpeak2,29329.8%
Septemberpeak1,95625.4%
October1,10714.4%
November690.9%
December10%

Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Monarch7,701

In New Jersey, September carries 25.4% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 17.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (29.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (14.4%) 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 New Jersey 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

  • Monarch7,701 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your monarch butterfly trip in New Jersey

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see monarch butterflies in New Jersey in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 1,956 of the 7,701 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 25.4% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in New Jersey?+

September is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, September and July.

What month is best for monarch butterflies in New Jersey?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 7,701 verified observations.

Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+

The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.