Monarch Butterflies in Washington in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 37 of the 131 sightings logged across the year (28.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 Washington

28.2%

of yearly sightings

37

records in July

#2

busiest month of 12

131

verified records a year

June 4.6%, July 28.2%, August 30.5%. Busiest month is August at 30.5%.

Best months: August, July, SeptemberPeak season right now

131 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Washington, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When monarch butterflies are recorded in Washington

Peak month

August

40 records (30.5% of the year)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
February00%
March00%
April21.5%
May10.8%
June64.6%
Julypeak3728.2%
Augustpeak4030.5%
Septemberpeak2821.4%
October1612.2%
November10.8%
December00%

Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Monarch131

In Washington, July carries 28.2% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 19.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 8 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from June (4.6%) into July, and it heads toward August (30.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Washington are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see

  • Monarch131 records
Plan your tripEbey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Washington

Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see monarch butterflies in Washington in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 37 of the 131 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 28.2% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see monarch butterflies in Washington?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and September.

What month is best for monarch butterflies in Washington?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and September, based on 131 verified observations.

Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Washington?+

The most-recorded species in Washington are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.