There's a reason the Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in the United States, and it isn't just the easy access from the East Coast. It's the light. It's the way fog pools in the valleys at sunrise like something poured from a pitcher. It's 800+ miles of streams tumbling over moss-covered rock, historic log cabins standing quiet in open meadows, and black bears wandering through it all like they own the place — because, honestly, they do.

Explore Death Valley National Park through a photographer's eye — from golden sunrise at Zabriskie Point to glowing sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Discover the park's history, stunning locations, and tips for capturing its most iconic scenes.