These natural steam vents off Highway 130 (at mile marker 15, near the funky hippie town of Pahoa) are a short hike from the scenic lookout on the road. Formed by sulfur exhaust, compliments of the nearby thermal activity of Hawaii Volcanoes

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These natural steam vents off Highway 130 (at mile marker 15, near the funky hippie town of Pahoa) are a short hike from the scenic lookout on the road. Formed by sulfur exhaust, compliments of the nearby thermal activity of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, these vents set amid rainforest foliage range from a small crawl–through caverns, to bowl–like structures you can climb down into, to one–man open–air sitting chambers. The steam is usually at the right temperature to enjoy a nice sweat. Popular with residents who normally use them nude, there's a following of gay users too. The protocol is to keep quiet and not disturb the other users in their respective vents. The trail does get muddy, and there are no public facilities, but it's a truly natural Hawaiian experience.

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