There are five settlements along the river: Pastra and Rila in Rila Municipality and Stob, Porominovo and Barakovo in Kocherinovo Municipality.
The waters of the upper and middle course are used for electricity by the smalls hydro power stations of Pastra and Rila; the waters are also used for irrigation in the Dupnitsa Valley.

The entire length of 38 km of the third class road III-107 between Kocherinovo and the Rila Monastery follows the Rilska River valley.

The whole upper course and watershed of the river falls within borders of the Rila Monastery Nature Park.
On the river's left banks some 4.8 km downstream of the confluence with the Iliyna is located the Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria's oldest and most important sanctuaries.
The monastery is an important national and international tourist destination and was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Further downstream at the village of Stob, just south of Rilska River's left banks are situated the Stob Earth Pyramids, rock formations, known as hoodoos.
There are five settlements along the river: Pastra and Rila in Rila Municipality and Stob, Porominovo and Barakovo in Kocherinovo Municipality. The waters of the upper and middle course are used for electricity by the smalls hydro power stations of Pastra and Rila; the waters are also used for irrigation in the Dupnitsa Valley.
The entire length of 38 km of the third class road III-107 between Kocherinovo and the Rila Monastery follows the Rilska River valley.
The whole upper course and watershed of the river falls within borders of the Rila Monastery Nature Park. On the river's left banks some 4.8 km downstream of the confluence with the Iliyna is located the Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria's oldest and most important sanctuaries. The monastery is an important national and international tourist destination and was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Further downstream at the village of Stob, just south of Rilska River's left banks are situated the Stob Earth Pyramids, rock formations, known as hoodoos.
Rilska River