Surrounded by alluvial mesas in the Colorado River Valley, Rifle sits at the base of the "Bookcliffs", named for lines of sediment and shale that resemble the pages of a book. Here is the gateway to the Roan Plateau, a magical place of deep canyons, waterfalls, aspen and spruce forests and expansive meadows. Recreation opportunities in the area include hunting for elk and deer, fishing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Drive north a few miles through Rifle Gap, site of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's "Valley Curtain" hung in 1975. Stop at picturesque Rifle Falls in a state park and continue to the narrow canyon of Rifle Mountain Park, known for its world-class climbing. Founded in 1882, Rifle celebrated its incorporation centennial in 2005. The downtown area, with the feel of the old west, is accented by a surprising variety of sculptures, from an elk at the entrance to a cowboy riding a trout.