The festival will celebrate the monarch butterfly during its migration and bring attention to the species’ declining numbers. Gorges State Park lies along the monarch’s migratory route. The butterflies can be seen in late September each year flying over the park’s visitor center on their way south to the high-elevation fir forests of Mexico’s Neovolcanic Mountains, where they overwinter until early spring. Monarch butterflies have two sets of deep orange and black wings and a wingspan of three to four inches. The migratory subspecies of the monarch was recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “red list” of the most threatened species on Earth and is now listed as endangered. Those who wish to help monarchs return to healthy population levels can plant locally native milkweed and nectar flowers in their yards and support efforts to reduce pesticide use.

The park requires registration for this free event - register online nowǃ

This event is FREE and open to the public!

Registration is required.

The festival will be held rain or shine.

Join us for the 3rd Annual Mountain Monarch Festival! Friends, neighbors, and families are invited to join in the celebration of the Monarch butterfly and learn more about its impressive life & migration. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Stroll around the visitor center and wrap around porch visiting vendor booths. The Mountain Monarch Festival will feature local artists, businesses, and organizations providing goods for sale, interactive displays, and educational activities! Enjoy a break at one of the local food trucks serving an inclusive selection of foods.
Check out the family-friendly activities offered at the Mountain Monarch Festival! Locally supported crafts and activities for kids of all ages will include face painting, seed bombs, and a designated kid's crafting booth. Get the whole family involved with the Monarch Migration Passport Program!
Don't miss out on all the Festival offers with the seek-and-find style Monarch Migration Passport Program. Find them all to win a prize! Visit the Friends of Gorges State Park booth to get your passport packet.
Take a break and refuel at one of the local food trucks. These food vendors will offer an inclusive range of foods including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Craving something sweet? Visit Sugar & Snow for a refreshing treat!
Get your thinking caps on to learn about the endangered Monarch butterfly! Take a stroll on the guided Butterfly Hike, learn about butterfly life cycles and migrations from Monarch specialists, and participate in the release of live butterflies. You are sure to leave the Festival with knowledge and excitement for the conservation of the Monarch butterfly!
Take home a piece of your experience at the Mountain Monarch Festival! The park Gift Shop and Friends of Gorges State Park booths will have monarch memorabilia for sale. See the Gift Shop for locally crafted monarch goods.