Monarch butterflies pass through Texas on their way south to Mexico from the end of September through the third week of October. During this time you can see thousands of these gorgeous orange migrants throughout the Lone Star State.

Where to find monarchs

You can find monarchs at many sites along the Great Texas Wildlife Trails:

Heart of Texas South Llano River State Park Medina Garden Nursery River Corridor Landmark Inn State Historical Site Guadalupe River State Park Panhandle Plains Lake Spence - Humble Crossing Prairies and Pineywoods City of Seymour - City Park Far West Texas Comanche Trail Park Texas Coast Galveston Island State Park

How do I know if it's really a monarch?

Monarch butterflies are an iconic pollinator, but they can often be confused with look-alike species. Below are a few distinguishing marks that will make identification easier.

Monarchs butterflies are one of the most familiar butterflies in North America, with a striking orange, black, and white pattern.

Viceroy butterflies have a solid black line on the hind-wings, compared to the jagged line on monarchs.

Queen and Soldier butterflies lack a black outline on the inside of the fore-wing and have unique patterns of white spots.

Read more about monarch ID, including information on the egg and catepillar stages.

Join the Pollinator Bioblitz

Participate in the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, Oct. 5-21! Sign up to receive daily observation challenges and help bring awareness to pollinators and their habitat.

How you can help protect monarchs

Create a Monarch Waystation

Monarch waystations help provide resources for migrating monarchs. They allow monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration.

Become a Citizen Scientist

Report monarch sightings to help further our understanding of monarchs and their migration.

Support RAWA

Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA), a new bill in Congress, could help support the wildlife you love and care about. It would fund wildlife conservation nationwide without adding new taxes, and bring in over $63 million annually to Texas to fund projects in TPWD's Conservation Action Plan. #SpeakUp for Texas wildlife and take action at ournatureusa.com.

Get a New Monarch Butterfly License Plate

Coming Spring of 2019! Sign up to be notified when this new license plate is available. Proceeds benefit Texas wildlife and their habitats.

Great Texas Wildlife Trails is just one of the programs made possible by supporters of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, our Nonprofit partner.