Skip to Main Content

Washington, DC: Animatronic Smokey Bear (In Transition)

USDA Forest Service information Center features a small museum and includes "Smokey Bears Office," with a talking, moving version of the fire-preventing icon. Temporarily closed as of January 2024.

USDA Forest Service Information Center

Address:
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC
Directions:
USDA Forest Service Information Center. Sidney R. Yates Federal Building. Entrance is on the south side of Independence Ave. SW just east of its intersection with 14th St. SW. Enter through the door at the far right.
Hours:
Temporarily closed Jan. 2024. (Call to verify)
Phone:
800-832-1355
Status:
In Transition
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Animatronic Smokey Bear

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Animatronic Smokey Bear

As of 1/8/24 the USDA Forest Service Information Center with the Animatronic Smokey Bear is not open, but it will reopen some day.

[Clark W, 01/19/2024]
Animatronic Smokey Bear

The Forest Service information Center is closed. The employees there could not tell me when or if it was going to reopen.

[Mike Adams, 09/02/2020]

It's a temporary Covid-19 closure. "Access to our facility is limited at this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding."

Smokey the Bear

There is a small museum at the U.S. Forest Service with free postcards, magnets, and other free stuff. Everyone is very nice. Enter the door at the far right; security needs to screen visitors. I didn't go in the correct door....

[John P Chismar, 11/24/2016]

Smokey Bear.

Animatronic Smokey Bear

Smokey's back! You have to go though high tech security to see him! Remember, only you can prevent forest fires.

[Jennifer Gilmore, 05/02/2014]
Animatronic Smokey Bear

The USDA Forest Service information Center is essentially a very small, but well-done one-room museum, made to look like a western lodge. Video screens in the walls tell the story of the Forest Service. he main attraction, though, is the animatronic Smokey Bear. He greets you upon entering with the sage words: "Only you can prevent forest fires," and then goes back to "sleep" at his desk (an odd way to depict federal employees for a federal agency to project). They also give away free fridge magnets and picture postcards of Smokey's office.

The animatronic goofiness is welcome after a visit next door to the National Holocaust Museum.

[William Zaza, 01/17/2012]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Stuffed Civil War Hero HorseStuffed Civil War Hero Horse, Washington, DC - < 1 mi.
Williams Williams "Slave Pen" Markers, Washington, DC - < 1 mi.
International Spy MuseumInternational Spy Museum, Washington, DC - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Cenotaph of John Quincy Adams, Washington, DC - 3 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

DC Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings