Best Time to See Monarch Butterflies in Utah
August, July and September is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Utah. Based on 1,370 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when monarch butterflies are most active across the year in Utah.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
1,370 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Utah, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Utah
Peak month
August
404 records (29.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 5 | 0.4% |
| May | 30 | 2.2% |
| June | 188 | 13.7% |
| Julypeak | 330 | 24.1% |
| Augustpeak | 404 | 29.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 292 | 21.3% |
| October | 108 | 7.9% |
| November | 12 | 0.9% |
| December | 1 | 0.1% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 1,370 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Utah
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 52 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 19°F | 1.5" |
| Feb | 35°F | 20°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 43°F | 27°F | 2.8" |
| Apr | 55°F | 33°F | 1.6" |
| May | 66°F | 42°F | 1.3" |
| Jun | 79°F | 53°F | 0.7" |
| Julbest time | 89°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Augbest time | 87°F | 61°F | 0.3" |
| Sepbest time | 78°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Oct | 62°F | 38°F | 1.1" |
| Nov | 48°F | 28°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 20°F | 2.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Utah. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on monarch butterflies in Utah:
Sightings of monarch butterflies in Utah peak in August, when 404 of the year's 1,370 verified observations are logged — about 29.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and September.
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 Utah 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 Utah
- Bryce Canyon National Park — National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park — National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument — National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Zion National Park — National Park
- Arches National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see monarch butterflies in Utah?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and September, based on 1,370 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are monarch butterflies hardest to see in Utah?+
January is the quietest month for monarch butterflies in Utah, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are monarch butterflies active year-round in Utah?+
Monarch butterflies are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Utah, concentrated around August and July.
More places to see monarch butterflies
More wildlife in Utah