Best Time to See Monarch Butterflies in North Dakota
August, June and July is the best time to see monarch butterflies in North Dakota. Based on 474 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when monarch butterflies are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
474 verified observations of monarch butterflies in North Dakota, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
August
156 records (32.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 8 | 1.7% |
| Junepeak | 118 | 24.9% |
| Julypeak | 108 | 22.8% |
| Augustpeak | 156 | 32.9% |
| September | 69 | 14.6% |
| October | 14 | 3% |
| November | 1 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 474 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 57 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Apr | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on monarch butterflies in North Dakota:
Sightings of monarch butterflies in North Dakota peak in August, when 156 of the year's 474 verified observations are logged — about 32.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, June and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when monarch butterflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see monarch butterflies in North Dakota?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, June and July, based on 474 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are monarch butterflies hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for monarch butterflies in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are monarch butterflies active year-round in North Dakota?+
Monarch butterflies are recorded in 7 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around August and June.
More places to see monarch butterflies
More wildlife in North Dakota