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Forest Service Information Center

Smokey Bear sitting in a chair, holding a paper in his left hand, with his legs up on the corner of a writing desk.
An animatronic Smokey Bear greets visitors in the information center. (USDA Forest Service photo)

Welcome

The Forest Service Information Center is now open to the public Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Stop by to learn more about the Forest Service!

Location

The Forest Service Information Center is located on the ground floor of the historic Sidney R. Yates building in Washington, D.C., at the corner of 14th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW. The "big red brick building,” built in 1878 for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, now houses the headquarters of the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Washington Monument is the most prominent nearby landmark.

What to Expect

The Forest Service Information Center is a 1,000-square-foot interactive exhibit featuring an animatronic Smokey Bear and rotational displays on wildfires, pollinators, wildflowers and Forest Service history.

A computer terminal set back in a room with a forest like backdrop covering the ceiling and walls.
View of the Forest Room in the information center, which has three changing video displays. (USDA Forest Service photo by Dominic Cumberland)

Smokey Bear's Office

Rudy Wendelin's famous painting “Smokey's Fan Mail” inspired the design of Smokey's office setting. The animatronic bear's eyes move back and forth as he reads his fan mail and greets visitors with a friendly reminder: "Only you..."

The Lodge

Learn about the history of the Forest Service through open-captioned videos. Modeled after a 1920s rustic lodge and fashioned out of pine, the lodge features hand-painted rugs and original Forest Service artifacts from the first half of the century, displayed in glass-enclosed cabinets.

Rotating Displays

The Information Center features rotating displays on a variety of Forest Service topics, including wildfires, pollinators, wildflowers and Forest Service history. The displays are located across from Smokey’s Office near the main entrance.

Forest Corner

One room of the Information Center features floor-to-ceiling decoration imitating a forest, giving visitors a glimpse of the beauty in our 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands.

The Sidney R. Yates Federal Building viewed through cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms near the Tidal Basin and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters and Forest Service (FS) Yates Building in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2019. (USDA Photo by Lance Cheung)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Forest Service Information Center located?

The Forest Service Information Center is located on the ground floor of the Sidney R. Yates building in Washington, D.C., at the corner of 14th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW.

When are the hours of operation?

The Forest Service Information Center is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on federal holidays.

What can visitors expect?

Visitors must pass a security checkpoint, common in federal buildings and Smithsonian museums, before entering the Forest Service Information Center.

What type of exhibits does the Forest Service Information Center have?

The Forest Service Information Center is a 1,000-square-foot interactive exhibit featuring an animatronic Smokey Bear and rotational displays on wildfires, pollinators, wildflowers and Forest Service history.

Is food or drink allowed in the Forest Service Information Center?

No. Open food and drink are not permitted in order to protect the multimedia equipment. Water bottles with closed-top lids are allowed.