As with most small towns in the South, Fort Payne, and the surrounding area, is rich in history and hometown charm. We are surrounded by natural beauty that you just have to see to believe. For those that are outdoor lovers, DeKalb County and nearby communities offer plenty of hiking, mountain bike riding, trail running, kayaking, canoeing, rappelling, spelunking, boating, fishing, and much more. The Fort Payne City school system has much to offer in respect to academics, technology, career paths, and extracurricular activities. Fort Payne is located in the middle of three nearby cities: Chattanooga, TN, Birmingham, AL, and Huntsville, AL. This easily allows small town living without losing the things we all love about larger cities.