Monarch Butterflies in South Dakota in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 193 of the 669 sightings logged across the year (28.8%), 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 South Dakota
28.8%
of yearly sightings
193
records in September
#2
busiest month of 12
669
verified records a year
August 31.4%, September 28.8%, October 2.5%. 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, September carries 28.8% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 20.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 7 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (31.4%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.5%) 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 South Dakota 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
- 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.
GetYourGuide
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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 193 of the 669 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 28.8% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in South Dakota?+
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 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