Monarch Butterflies in New York in October
Yes, October is a good month to see monarch butterflies in New York. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,743 of the 17,575 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), 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.
Good month for monarch butterflies in New York
9.9%
of yearly sightings
1,743
records in October
#4
busiest month of 12
17,575
verified records a year
September 25.5%, October 9.9%, November 0.6%. Busiest month is August at 35.7%.
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 |
In New York, October carries 9.9% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 1.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (25.5%) into October, and it heads toward November (0.6%) after. The busiest month is August (35.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in New York 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
- Monarch17,575 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in New York
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main monarch butterfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in New York
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 New York in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 1,743 of the 17,575 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see monarch butterflies in New York?+
October is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in New York?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 17,575 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.