Monarch Butterflies in Wisconsin in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Wisconsin. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,470 of the 8,496 sightings logged across the year (17.3%), 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 Wisconsin
17.3%
of yearly sightings
1,470
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
8,496
verified records a year
August 29.3%, September 17.3%, October 2.7%. Busiest month is July at 30.3%.
8,496 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Wisconsin, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
July
2,571 records (30.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 2 | 0% |
| May | 307 | 3.6% |
| June | 1,410 | 16.6% |
| Julypeak | 2,571 | 30.3% |
| Augustpeak | 2,492 | 29.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,470 | 17.3% |
| October | 230 | 2.7% |
| November | 12 | 0.1% |
| December | 1 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 8,496 |
In Wisconsin, September carries 17.3% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (29.3%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.7%) 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 Wisconsin 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
- Monarch8,496 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Wisconsin
Start with live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
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 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Wisconsin.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,470 of the 8,496 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 17.3% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see monarch butterflies in Wisconsin?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and September.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Wisconsin?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 8,496 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+
The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Wisconsin in other months
More wildlife in Wisconsin