Smokey Bear Bobblehead, 4.5″ Collectible Figure
$12.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A 4.5-inch Smokey Bear bobblehead, the US Forest Service’s wildfire-prevention mascot since 1944, wearing ranger uniform with a shovel in hand. He ships in a vintage-art collector box with “Only You!” on top.
- 4.5″ tall polyresin figure with classic Smokey ranger uniform: blue trousers, “Smokey” belt buckle, yellow ranger hat, shovel
- Vintage collector packaging with classic Smokey artwork and the “Only You!” slogan
- Officially licensed Smokey Bear merchandise, distributed by Impact Photographics
- Collectible, not a toy. Recommended for ages 14+
- Proceeds support the Black Hills National Forest and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Smokey Bear Bobblehead, 4.5″ Collectible Figure
$12.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A 4.5-inch Smokey Bear bobblehead, the US Forest Service’s wildfire-prevention mascot since 1944, wearing ranger uniform with a shovel in hand. He ships in a vintage-art collector box with “Only You!” on top.
- 4.5″ tall polyresin figure with classic Smokey ranger uniform: blue trousers, “Smokey” belt buckle, yellow ranger hat, shovel
- Vintage collector packaging with classic Smokey artwork and the “Only You!” slogan
- Officially licensed Smokey Bear merchandise, distributed by Impact Photographics
- Collectible, not a toy. Recommended for ages 14+
- Proceeds support the Black Hills National Forest and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
About this bobblehead
This is a 4.5-inch Smokey Bear bobblehead, distributed by Impact Photographics under the official US Forest Service Smokey Bear licensing program. Smokey has been the Forest Service’s wildfire-prevention mascot since 1944, which makes him the longest-serving advertising character in American history. The slogan on the box (“Only You!”) is the short form of “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” the campaign’s current tagline since 2001.
The figure is painted in the classic Smokey uniform: blue trousers with a “Smokey” belt buckle, a yellow forest ranger hat with his name on the band, and the shovel he’s been carrying for 80 years. The head is the bobble (that’s the point). The collector box shows vintage Smokey artwork on the sides and the “Only You!” slogan on top, so it displays well either in or out of the packaging.
Specifications
- Height: 4.5″ (figure)
- Package dimensions: 3″ x 6″ x 3″
- Weight: 5.1 oz
- Material: Polyresin
- Age recommendation: 14+ (collectible, not a toy)
- Licensing: Officially licensed Smokey Bear merchandise (US Forest Service)
- Distributor: Impact Photographics (Petaluma, CA)
- Packaging: Collector box with vintage Smokey artwork, “Only You!” on top
Who Smokey is
The Smokey Bear campaign launched on August 9, 1944 as a joint effort between the US Forest Service and the Ad Council, three years into a wartime effort to reduce human-caused forest fires while fire crews were deployed overseas. The original slogan was “Smokey Says, Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.” In 1947 it changed to “Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” and in 2001 it shifted to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” (to include grasslands and non-forest wildfires in the message).
A real bear cub found alive after a 1950 wildfire in the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico became the living mascot of the campaign. He was flown to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, where he lived until 1976. The Ad Council reports that Smokey is recognized by more than 95% of adults in the US. That’s a higher name-recognition rate than most sitting politicians.
This bobblehead isn’t BHPFA-exclusive. It’s stocked at US Forest Service visitor centers and national-park cooperating association stores across the country. BHPFA carries it because Smokey Bear is the face of the US Forest Service, and the Black Hills National Forest is one of the two USFS units where BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner.
Who picks this up
Three main groups. Forest Service families and kids of former wildland firefighters who recognize Smokey from childhood and want him on a shelf. Bobblehead collectors who work through licensed-character figures (Smokey is on the classic-mascot list alongside Woodsy Owl, the Michelin Man, and the Jolly Green Giant). And visitors to the Black Hills National Forest who stop at Pactola or one of the other BHNF ranger stations and want a souvenir that isn’t a t-shirt.
It’s priced as a park-store gift, not a premium collectible. The larger 8-inch polyresin Smokey bobblehead from Royal Bobbles retails at $32-$35 at other retailers. That’s a different product at a different scale. This is the smaller, display-sized version.
Frequently asked questions
Is this officially licensed Smokey Bear merchandise?
Yes. The Smokey Bear name and likeness are federally protected under 16 U.S.C. § 580p-1 and administered by the US Forest Service. Any Smokey Bear product sold through a Forest Service or cooperating association store is produced under license. The distributor for this bobblehead is Impact Photographics, a Petaluma, California souvenir wholesaler that produces a dedicated Smokey Bear catalog for park and forest stores.
How tall is it?
The figure is 4.5 inches tall. The collector box is larger (3″ x 6″ x 3″) so it can sit on a shelf with the packaging if you’d rather display it in-box. There is also a larger, 8-inch version of the Smokey bobblehead on the market from Royal Bobbles. That one retails around $32 and is a separate product.
What’s it made of?
Polyresin, the same material used for most licensed collectible bobbleheads. It’s heavier than plastic and holds fine paint detail.
Is this a toy for kids?
No. It’s a collectible figure. The head is on a spring, there are paint details, and the scale is small. Rated for ages 14 and up. If you’re looking for a Smokey kids’ item, the plush and junior-ranger line is a better fit.
Does buying this support national parks or forests?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites. Because Smokey is specifically a USFS character, this item is especially relevant to the work BHPFA does in the Black Hills National Forest.
Can I get my Passport stamped in the Black Hills National Forest?
No. The Passport to Your National Parks program is NPS-only. USFS units like the Black Hills National Forest aren’t in the Passport system. If you’re working on a Passport book, the closest BHPFA stamps are at Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
When was Smokey Bear “born”?
The campaign launched August 9, 1944. Smokey turned 80 in 2024, which makes this the longest-running public service ad campaign in US history. The real bear cub that became the living mascot was rescued from a 1950 wildfire in New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest.
Will you restock if it’s sold out?
Yes. This is a catalog item from Impact Photographics, not a limited release. If the page shows out of stock, reorder cycles run every few weeks.
Related items
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 9 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Impact Photographics |
| Dimensions | 3" x 6" x 3" (package); figure 4.5" tall |
| Weight | 5.1 oz |
| Material | Polyresin |
| Age Range | 14+ |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
