Monarch Butterflies in Ohio in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Ohio. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 4,737 of the 17,208 sightings logged across the year (27.5%), 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 Ohio
27.5%
of yearly sightings
4,737
records in September
#2
busiest month of 12
17,208
verified records a year
August 36.9%, September 27.5%, October 5.7%. Busiest month is August at 36.9%.
17,208 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Ohio, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Ohio
Peak month
August
6,349 records (36.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 3 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0% |
| April | 18 | 0.1% |
| May | 276 | 1.6% |
| June | 998 | 5.8% |
| Julypeak | 3,762 | 21.9% |
| Augustpeak | 6,349 | 36.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 4,737 | 27.5% |
| October | 980 | 5.7% |
| November | 75 | 0.4% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 17,208 |
In Ohio, September carries 27.5% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 19.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (36.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Ohio are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch17,208 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Ohio
Start with live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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 Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Ohio.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Ohio
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 Ohio in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 4,737 of the 17,208 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 27.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in Ohio?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, September and July.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Ohio?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 17,208 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Ohio?+
The most-recorded species in Ohio are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Ohio in other months
More wildlife in Ohio