Photograph Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges' Monarch Grove

Santa Cruz, California

4.3/5
based on 3 reviews

Description

Added by Anca Apostoaei

Natural Bridges State Park is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies.

The park's Monarch Grove provides a temporary home for thousands of Monarchs. From late fall into winter they make this their home and if you time it perfectly you can see them in clusters in the trees. 

When you reached the Natural Bridges State Park, on the right of the Visitors Center you'll find the path "Monarch Trail", fallow it and you'll end up at a fence off area with milkweed plants and nectar flowers for the butterflies. As migration is variable, you may call to check on the current information on the population. 

Also be sure to arrive before 9-10 am if you want to see them in clusters, after that time they get warm and fly away. 

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Features

Photography
Bathrooms
Beach
Dog Friendly
Picnic Area
Wildflowers

Photograph Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges' Monarch Grove Reviews

Nice spot for photos. Both of the monarch grove and the beach. The rock formations are cool.

Maybe I've missed them, but I always imagined I'd see them here in masses. I can only say I've seen the usual amount of monarchs here

Great place to explore and take photos, but make sure to research when the monarchs are in the area before you go!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Photograph the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum