Discover and identify New Jersey’s butterflies with printable activity sheets, top butterfly-watching locations, and interactive maps. Perfect for families, educators, and explorers seeking hands-on learning and outdoor adventures across the state
Looking for a fun, educational way to explore nature in New Jersey? This Butterflies of New Jersey printable is perfect for identifying, tracking, and observing butterflies across the state. Ideal for nature walks, backyard adventures, field trips, and homeschool science in tri-state area.
What’s Included in the Download (PDF Format):
- Illustrated guide to common New Jersey butterflies (including monarchs, swallowtails, and skippers)
- Butterfly checklist to record sightings by location and date
- Sketching and journaling pages for each butterfly you find
- Four themed games: Crossword, Anagram, Word Search, and Word Spell
- Coloring page to inspire creativity
Perfect for:
Families
Educators
Nature lovers
Instant Download - designed to be easy to print and use on the go.
Enjoy butterfly watching at Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, East Brunswick Butterfly Park, Duke Farms, and Cattus Island—New Jersey’s best butterfly gardens.
1. Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, Pennington
Key Features: Outdoor butterfly house at The Watershed Institute, featuring native nectar plants and a variety of local butterfly species; educational programs and monarch tagging events.
Peak Season: Mid-June to early October
Parking/Tips: Free on-site parking; accessible paths; check for special events and guided tours.
2. Tenafly Nature Center. Tenafly
Key Features: Seasonal butterfly house and pollinator gardens; walk among native butterflies and observe all life stages; educational signage and staff on hand.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; check center hours for butterfly house access; combine with a visit to the nature trails.
Website: https://tenaflynaturecenter.org/Butterfly-House
3. East Brunswick Butterfly Park, East Brunswick
Key Features: Dedicated butterfly garden with native wildflowers and shrubs; supports monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and more; peaceful spot for observation and photography.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; bring a field guide for butterfly ID; benches available for relaxing.
Website: https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/west-essex-park
4. Butterfly Garden at West Essex Park, Roseland
Key Features: Dedicated butterfly garden with native wildflowers and shrubs; supports monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and more; peaceful spot for observation and photography.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; bring a field guide for butterfly ID; benches available for relaxing.
Website: https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/west-essex-park
5. Turtle Back Zoo Butterfly Tent, West Orange
Key Features: Seasonal walk-through butterfly tent with hundreds of native butterflies; educational staff on site; interactive exhibits for children and families.
Peak Season: Late June to Labor Day
Parking/Tips: Paid zoo admission and parking; tent is open seasonally—check zoo calendar for dates.
Website: https://turtlebackzoo.com/butterfly-tent/
6. Van Vleck House & Gardens, Montclair
Key Features: Historic public gardens with abundant nectar plants; attracts a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, and skippers; beautifully landscaped grounds.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; gardens open daily; bring a camera for garden and butterfly photography.
Website: https://vanvleck.org/
7. Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge, West Deptford
Key Features: 75-acre wildlife refuge with a dedicated butterfly garden; meadows and wetlands attract native butterflies and pollinators; benches and pond for peaceful observation.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; bring binoculars for butterfly and bird watching; check for community events.
Website: https://legacysite.naba.org/chapters/nabanj/sites/wheelabrator.html
8. Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Key Features: Butterfly garden and natural coastal habitats; salt marsh, maritime forest, and meadows attract a wide variety of butterflies; nature center and accessible trails.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; family-friendly; combine butterfly watching with a visit to the nature center.
Website: https://www.oceancountyparks.org/frmRegContentPrks?ID=0751673c-9513-4ecc-8f3e-3e65b0f2ec45
9. Trailside Nature Center, Mountainside
Key Features: Pollinator gardens and interpretive trails in Watchung Reservation; attracts monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies; educational programs and displays.
Peak Season: June to September
Parking/Tips: Free parking; check for butterfly walks and family events; bring a field guide for ID.
Website: https://ucnj.org/trailside/
10. Camden Children's Garden, Camden
Key Features: Butterfly house and pollinator gardens (check for current status); interactive exhibits and seasonal butterfly releases; popular with families and school groups.
Peak Season: Summer (check for reopening status)
Parking/Tips: Paid parking nearby; check website for hours and special events.
Website: https://camdenchildrensgarden.org/
Discover New Jersey’s top 10 butterfly viewing destinations with this interactive map, featuring butterfly houses, gardens, and nature centers where native butterflies thrive. Explore the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, Tenafly Nature Center, East Brunswick Butterfly Park, Butterfly Garden at West Essex Park, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, Van Vleck House & Gardens, Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge, Cattus Island County Park, Trailside Nature and Science Center, and Camden Children’s Garden for vibrant butterfly activity, educational trails, and family-friendly pollinator gardens. Perfect for butterfly watchers, families, and nature lovers seeking the best butterfly experiences in the Garden State.
Use our interactive map to plan your next adventure!