Monarch Butterflies in North Dakota in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in North Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 156 of the 474 sightings logged across the year (32.9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for monarch butterflies in North Dakota
32.9%
of yearly sightings
156
records in August
#1
busiest month of 12
474
verified records a year
July 22.8%, August 32.9%, September 14.6%. Busiest month is August at 32.9%.
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 |
In North Dakota, August carries 32.9% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 24.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 7 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from July (22.8%) into August, and it heads toward September (14.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in North Dakota are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch474 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in North Dakota
Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in North Dakota
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 North Dakota in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 156 of the 474 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 32.9% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see monarch butterflies in North Dakota?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, June and July.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in North Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and July, based on 474 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in North Dakota in other months
More wildlife in North Dakota