Did you know, that monarch butterflies have the longest insect migration in North America? You can enjoy this migration right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Every fall, monarch butterflies travel an average of 50-100 miles a day with an average speed of 10-12 miles per hour. These amazing creatures never seem to stop amazing us!
The Best Place to See Monarchs in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Whether you're enjoying downtown Fort Wayne's developing riverfront, discovering our great outdoor adventures or some of our great preserves, keep a lookout for a passing monarch.
For the best viewing opportunity, make sure to plan a visit to Little River Wetlands and Eagle Marsh. Little River Wetlands and Eagle Marsh are located southwest of downtown Fort Wayne are offer beautiful trails and paths to watch the monarchs.
To learn more about this incredible insect and witness this migration, you'll want to join the Annual Monarch Festival held each September. Little River Wetlands Project (LWRP) celebrates monarch butterflies with this free public event. The event features new educational activities centered on monarchs and their importance as pollinators in our ecosystem. Caterpillars, chrysalis, and adult monarchs are on display for visitors to explore up close. LRWP will also be giving away 1000 free milkweed plants since milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars can eat the leaves.
Vendors will be on site such as Young Urban Homesteaders, Riverview Nursery, Glenn’s Honey, and others. Visitors will also be able to join many Fort Wayne community partners that all share the same focus of preserving the monarch butterfly, including the Fort Wayne Zoo, Allen County Parks, Indiana DNR, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Discover how Fort Wayne's wetlands and you play an important role in the life of these butterflies and how you can help monarch butterflies.