The state school trust fund originally owned 80 acres of land along the Rum River, with administration of the land assigned to the Division of Forestry in the Department of Natural Resources. A wayside rest was first developed at this site in 1962 by the 4-H clubs of Mille Lacs County, with sponsorship from the Mille Lacs County Area Development Association. The clubs cleared trees, graded a road, placed picnic tables and fireplaces, erected a flagpole, developed a nature trail, and identified trees, and each summer one of the county’s 17 4-H clubs took responsibility for cleaning up the site. In 1972, the Minnesota Department of Transportation acquired 27 acres here and chose the location, as with most Mn/DOT rest areas, for its mixed tree cover, access to the Rum River, and sloping topography. Over the years, many travelers have appreciated the Rum River Rest Area.