Monarch Butterflies in South Dakota in June
Yes, June is a good month to see monarch butterflies in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 103 of the 669 sightings logged across the year (15.4%), 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 South Dakota
15.4%
of yearly sightings
103
records in June
#4
busiest month of 12
669
verified records a year
May 4.5%, June 15.4%, July 17.2%. Busiest month is August at 31.4%.
669 verified observations of monarch butterflies in South Dakota, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
August
210 records (31.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 30 | 4.5% |
| June | 103 | 15.4% |
| Julypeak | 115 | 17.2% |
| Augustpeak | 210 | 31.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 193 | 28.8% |
| October | 17 | 2.5% |
| November | 1 | 0.1% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 669 |
In South Dakota, June carries 15.4% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 7.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 7 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from May (4.5%) into June, and it heads toward July (17.2%) after. The busiest month is August (31.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in South Dakota are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch669 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands 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 Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in South 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 South Dakota in June?+
Yes. June accounts for 103 of the 669 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 15.4% of the annual total.
Is June a good time to see monarch butterflies in South Dakota?+
June 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 South Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 669 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota