Best Time to See Monarch Butterflies in New York
August, September and July is the best time to see monarch butterflies in New York. Based on 17,575 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when monarch butterflies are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Monarch · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
Monarch · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
Monarch · Jason E. Farabaugh CC BY
17,575 verified observations of monarch butterflies in New York, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in New York
Peak month
August
6,275 records (35.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 24 | 0.1% |
| May | 184 | 1% |
| June | 912 | 5.2% |
| Julypeak | 3,839 | 21.8% |
| Augustpeak | 6,275 | 35.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 4,479 | 25.5% |
| October | 1,743 | 9.9% |
| November | 109 | 0.6% |
| December | 7 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 17,575 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
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 53 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| May | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on monarch butterflies in New York:
Sightings of monarch butterflies in New York peak in August, when 6,275 of the year's 17,575 verified observations are logged — about 35.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and July.
The quietest stretch is March and February, when monarch butterflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for March. 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 New York 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 New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see monarch butterflies in New York?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and July, based on 17,575 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are monarch butterflies hardest to see in New York?+
March is the quietest month for monarch butterflies in New York, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are monarch butterflies active year-round in New York?+
Monarch butterflies are recorded in 11 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see monarch butterflies
More wildlife in New York