Millions of monarch butterflies will leave the mountains of Mexico and are migrating through Arkansas this spring. Within the past few years, this monarch migration in Arkansas has been the biggest it has been in decades. This spring, it is estimated millions of monarch butterflies will make an appearance and we can’t wait to see these beautiful creatures. Let’s get outside to see these gorgeous monarch butterflies in Arkansas!

This spring, millions of monarch butterflies will be fluttering through Arkansas. The vast butterfly population significantly higher than previous years'.
monarch butterflies in Arkansas
Flickr/USFWS Midwest Region
The current migration is just one of the swells of monarchs Arkansas will see this year.
monarch butterflies in Arkansas
Facebook/Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
This first monarch surge is from the new year's generation of butterflies from Mexico. These butterflies will continue north and lay eggs for the second generation. The fourth generation will be the next big swell to look forward to around September. This gen will hold off on laying eggs until they've returned to Mexico which means they'll have a much longer lifespan (up to eight months).

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Photography isn't the only way to participate in this year's migration.
Facebook/Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
An easy way to aid the countless butterflies is to plant milkweed, their favorite plant for laying eggs and providing caterpillar food. In addition to working on your backyard garden, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has another way to help. Any time you see a monarch you can log in at iNaturalist website. The mapping project offers insightful research to a number of studies. The AGFC is using it to see the positive butterfly effects of native prairie restoration.
Now would be a wonderful time to go outside and spot some butterflies!
Facebook/Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
A rather magical place to visit is Fayetteville’s Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. The garden has the state’s only butterfly house, which you can read more about in our previous article about the Botanical Garden. State parks often host different butterfly events throughout the season. No matter if you plan a weekend getaway to one of our national forests or just take more time to sit in your backyard, the monarch migration is a treasured sight to see.

Now that you know the best time to see monarch butterflies, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the arrival of these lovely creatures this spring. Also, if you would like to start your own butterfly garden, check out this website featuring some of the necessary gardening supplies.  

If you’d like to immerse yourself in breathtaking nature while you look for monarch butterflies in Arkansas, you should try one of spring hikes in Arkansas.

18 Best Hikes in Arkansas: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2024

 

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Monarch Buffterflies In Arkansas

Marisa Roman | April 12, 2020

What other animals migrate to Arkansas in the spring?

The butterfly migration in Arkansas sure is a sight to see. But butterflies aren’t the other beings migrating through Arkansas during the springtime. In fact, there will be plenty of deer, bats, snakes, spotted frogs, and dragonflies that migrate through Arkansas during the warmer months. In addition, Arkansas hosts a wide variety of birds, too, during springtime. Some of the birds to watch out for this spring in Arkansas include the painting bunting, indigo bunting, Wilson’s warbler, and swallow-tailed kites, to name a few. Also, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the ruby-throated hummingbirds to make their way through Arkansas this spring.

What are the best signs of spring in Arkansas 

If you’re looking for some welcomed reprieve from winter, don’t worry, we have some good news. Signs of spring in Arkansas can show themselves in many different ways. First and foremost, the temperatures will begin to get warmer, the sun will shine a bit brighter, and the days will begin to get longer. In addition, flowers will begin to bloom and trees will blossoming with greenery. Also, keep an ear out for the spring peeper in Arkansas. Their choral singing is a great sign that spring is near!

How can I best enjoy nature in Arkansas?

Enjoying nature in Arkansas is a luxury that is missed during the colder, winter months. As it gets warmer throughout the state, it’s only right to start planning your spring nature exploration. I mean, Arkansas is nicknamed “The Nature State” after all, right? From hiking to various waterfalls and enjoying pockets of wildlife, there is plenty to do to get in on all the outdoor action. If you’re looking for a place to start, then check out these 11 incredible natural attractions in Arkansas.

What are some fun things to do in Arkansas during the spring? 

Beyond the migration of the monarch butterflies, here are some fun things to do in Arkansas when it’s springtime. 

  • Peach Pickin' Paradise - Lamar
  • Wildwood Park for the Arts, Little Rock
  • Garvan Woodland Gardens Tulip Festival, Hot Springs
  • Buffalo National River, Ponca
  • Wye Mountain - Bigelow
  • H.E. Flanagan Prairie Natural Area, Charleston
  • Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
  • P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Roland
  • Blue Spring Heritage Center, Eureka Springs
  • Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, Fifty-Six
  • Richland Creek Wilderness, Sand Gap

Read our previous article telling you more fun things to do in Arkansas in spring.

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