Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Colorado (South rim) hikes:

1. Oak Flat Loop - 2 miles. Easy, nice hike. Starts at the visitors center and has a little elevation change meandering through shaded areas. Mix of oak, aspen, juniper, ponderosa pine, pinon. Plenty of birds and other wildlife. I would do this hike over the Rim Nature trail in the summer to stay out of the crowds and direct sun.

2. Warner Point trail - 1.4 miles round trip. This trail is at the end of the South rim driving loop and has great views at the end. Great overlooks along the hike, too. There is a pamphlet that you can read along as you hit the numbered areas that describes the geology and flora/fauna of the area.

It wasn't in the cards to do any serious hiking to the bottom of the canyon. Sounds like more of a rock climb/slide than a hike, but maybe next time. I stayed in Montrose and had easy access to the park.