Hiking the Big Lake Sand Cave Trail (Shell Gas Station Cave) in Page, Arizona
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
The Big Lake Sand Cave, more commonly known as the Shell Gas Station Cave, is a beautiful and iconic landmark in Page, Arizona—notably because of the unique ways that beautiful photos can be captured in a less-than-obvious, hidden location!
Yes, the cave is unlike most adventures in Page, in that it’s truly a side-of-the-road attraction that visitors can enjoy because of the generosity of the Big Lake Trading Post, which allows hikers to utilize their parking area in order to access the trail that leads to the sand cave.
For this reason, I ask that you please be respectful while visiting the cave, so that it can continue to be enjoyed by all in the future!
Big Lake Sand Cave Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Big Lake Sand Cave is located off Coppermine Road, on the far side of the Shell gas station toward the cliffs when pulling in.
Again, please be respectful and don’t leave trash while visiting, as this parking area is truly available to the public through the generosity of the store’s owner.
Google Maps Directions: Big Lake Sand Cave Trailhead
Southwest Hiking Checklist
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Southwest U.S.
Hiking the Big Lake Sand Cave Trail
The hike to the cave behind the Shell gas station begins by following the trail that leads directly toward the cliffs to the east of the parking area.
That said, the Big Lake Sand Cave Trail is very short, totaling only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) each way on a slightly uphill, sandy trail to reach the caves.
Shortly after beginning the hike, the trail to the Shell Gas Station Cave will make a hard left turn to the north, directly toward the Big Lake Sand Cave.
Big Lake Sand Cave
This is the mouth of the Shell Gas Station Cave, but what truly makes it so special is the unique photos that can be taken at the very back of the cave, much like the Birthing Cave in Sedona, Arizona.
That being said, hike all the way in, get down low, and use a wide-angle lens to capture the one-of-a-kind photos that frame the entire cave with a subject silhouetted against the sky!
What is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Big Lake Sand Cave?
The answer to this question would certainly vary from photographer to photographer, but here’s what I can say:
Late evening or sunset is a favorite because of the ability to capture silhouetted photos, like the image below, but late morning to midday is another favorite time to visit because it makes for a much brighter scene with more vivid colors than these sunset photos here.
However, the times I recommend avoiding are early in the morning—when everything is dark because the sun rises behind the Big Lake Sand Cave—as well as mid-afternoon, when the sun is shining directly into the cave. I say this because photos taken directly into the sunlight are generally pretty difficult to capture unless you have a good camera.
