Monarch Butterflies in New Mexico in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in New Mexico. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 152 of the 856 sightings logged across the year (17.8%), 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 New Mexico
17.8%
of yearly sightings
152
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
856
verified records a year
September 23.2%, October 17.8%, November 2.7%. Busiest month is August at 29.4%.
856 verified observations of monarch butterflies in New Mexico, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
August
252 records (29.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 11 | 1.3% |
| April | 32 | 3.7% |
| May | 18 | 2.1% |
| June | 43 | 5% |
| July | 123 | 14.4% |
| Augustpeak | 252 | 29.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 199 | 23.2% |
| Octoberpeak | 152 | 17.8% |
| November | 23 | 2.7% |
| December | 3 | 0.4% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 856 |
In New Mexico, October carries 17.8% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 9.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (23.2%) into October, and it heads toward November (2.7%) 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 New Mexico 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
- Monarch856 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in New Mexico
Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see monarch butterflies in New Mexico in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 152 of the 856 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 17.8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see monarch butterflies in New Mexico?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, September and October.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in New Mexico?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and October, based on 856 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+
The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in New Mexico in other months
More wildlife in New Mexico