Valley of the Butterflies
A shaded valley along a stream where thousands of Jersey tiger moths (commonly called butterflies here, though they're technically moths) gather each summer, drawn by the resin of the valley's storax trees, clustering so densely on tree trunks that the bark itself can look patterned rather than plain. The phenomenon is genuinely striking when the moths are present in numbers, but it's also strictly seasonal — outside roughly June through September, the moths simply aren't there, making the valley just a pleasant but unremarkable shaded walk.
Visitors are asked not to clap, shout, or otherwise startle the moths, since disturbing them repeatedly can affect their survival and reproduction; treat it as a place for quiet observation rather than interactive entertainment.
A walking trail follows the stream through the valley, shaded and cool, taking about 45 minutes to an hour to walk at an easy pace.
Valley of the Butterflies FAQs
Roughly June through September; outside that window, the moths have migrated elsewhere and the valley is just a shaded walk without the main attraction.
Technically they're Jersey tiger moths, commonly called butterflies locally, though the distinction rarely bothers visitors given the visual spectacle.
No, visitors are asked not to clap, shout, or otherwise disturb the moths, since repeated disturbance can affect their survival and reproduction.
About 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace, following the stream through the shaded valley.
Not particularly for the moths specifically, though the shaded valley and stream remain a pleasant, cool walk if you're already in the area.
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