23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
A Smoky Mountain Fall Sunset

This photo was taken at sunset in the Smoky Mountain National Park in October. I was driving through the park and noticed this gravel road that was chained off. So I parked my car and noticed the multicolored leaves that draped the gravel road. As the sun began to set, I saw how the shadows from the trees added to the texture of the landscape. Luckily I was able to capture a sunburst from the setting sun as the day was coming to an end.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R5m2
Copyright: © Patrick OConnor