Thurston Lava Tube
Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii
The Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is probably the most convenient place for a tourist to experience a large, inactive lava tube. A short path through a fern forest leads to a bridge entering the 600-foot-long natural tunnel. It has been electrically lit, though some tipsters have advised bringing your own flashlight and extra batteries. The moist passageway is from ten to 40 feet high.
Created 350-500 years ago when molten lava from an eruption formed this feeder tube, it was discovered in 1913 by newspaper publisher Lorrin Thurston (the Hawaiian name for the tube is Nahuku).