Assessment / Visual Resource Inventory
Complete NPS Methodology

Visual Resource Inventory

The complete NPS Visual Resource Inventory methodology—Scenic Quality plus View Importance—producing the official Scenic Inventory Value (VH/H/M/L/VL) for every scene. 150+ data points covering observation conditions, landscape character, scenic quality ratings, view importance factors, visual elements, and environmental features.

What Is Visual Resource Inventory?

The National Park Service developed the Visual Resource Inventory (VRI) system to objectively evaluate scenic resources. The methodology has two equal components: Scenic Quality (how visually appealing is the landscape?) and View Importance (how significant is this viewpoint?). These combine to produce the Scenic Inventory Value—the official NPS rating used to protect America's most treasured viewsheds.

Our analysis applies the complete NPS methodology to every scene in your 360° imagery. Each viewpoint is assessed across both dimensions, generating the full suite of data points that land managers need for planning, protection, and compliance—documentation that would take field crews months to complete manually.

12
assessment categories
150+
fields per scene
×6
faces analyzed

Scenic Quality Grades

Each scene receives a Scenic Quality letter grade (A-E) based on three NPS criteria: Landscape Character Integrity, Vividness, and Visual Harmony. Each criterion has three sub-factors scored 1-5, producing a total score from 9-45.

A
39-45 pts
Outstanding
B
31-38 pts
Above Average
C
24-30 pts
Common
D
16-23 pts
Below Average
E
9-15 pts
Poor

Scenic Inventory Value

The final Scenic Inventory Value combines Scenic Quality (A-E) with View Importance (1-5) using the official NPS matrix. This is the defensible rating used for viewshed protection, development review, and resource management.

VH
Very High
Highest Protection
H
High
Strong Protection
M
Moderate
Balanced Mgmt
L
Low
Limited Concern
VL
Very Low
Minimal Concern
How the Matrix Works: A viewpoint with Grade A scenic quality and View Importance rating 1 (highest) receives Scenic Inventory Value of VH. A Grade C viewpoint with View Importance 3 receives M. This ensures both scenic beauty AND significance to viewers factor into protection decisions.

What Gets Measured

View Importance 27NEW

The second half of the NPS methodology

  • Viewpoint publicity (1-5)
  • Viewpoint management effort (1-5)
  • Viewpoint interpretive services (1-5)
  • Viewed landscape publicity (1-5)
  • Designated areas present (1-5)
  • Interpretive theme alignment (1-5)
  • Visitation level (1-5)
  • View duration (1-5)
  • Viewer activities (1-5)

Observation Conditions 12NEW

Capture conditions affecting assessment

  • Weather conditions (sky, visibility)
  • Lighting conditions
  • Observer position
  • Season apparent
  • Ephemeral effects (wildflowers, snow, haze)
  • Time indicators
  • Capture method

Landscape Character 8NEW

Required foundation for integrity scoring

  • Primary character type
  • Natural / Pastoral / Agricultural
  • Rural / Suburban / Urban / Industrial
  • Mixed character assessment
  • Transition zone indicators

Scenic Inventory Value 10NEW

Final combined NPS rating

  • Scenic Quality grade (A-E)
  • View Importance rating (1-5)
  • Final SIV (VH/H/M/L/VL)
  • Matrix calculation
  • Protection level recommendation
  • Management implications

NPS Scenic Quality 30

Core scenic quality with numeric scoring

  • Landscape Character Integrity (3 factors × 1-5)
  • Vividness (3 factors × 1-5)
  • Visual Harmony (3 factors × 1-5)
  • Sub-totals and total score (9-45)
  • Letter grade calculation
  • Rationale for each score

NPS Visual Elements 19

Form, line, color, and texture analysis

  • Forms (dominant, descriptions)
  • Lines (horizon, dominant types)
  • Colors (palette, distribution, intensity)
  • Seasonal color influence
  • Textures (by distance zone)

NPS Distance Zones 12

Foreground, middleground, background

  • Foreground (0-500 ft): features, visual impact
  • Middleground (500 ft-4 mi): features, impact
  • Background (4+ mi): features, visual impact
  • Extent descriptions
  • Zone characteristics

NPS Landscape Elements 16

Features mapped by distance zone

  • Landforms (14 types × F/M/B)
  • Landcover (13 types × F/M/B)
  • Land use (16 types × F/M/B)
  • Structures (15 types × F/M/B)

View Type Classification 6

NPS view type categories

  • Panoramic (180°+ unobstructed)
  • Feature (eye drawn to object)
  • Framed (edges limit perspective)
  • Focal (convergence point)
  • Enclosed (visual walls)
  • Canopied (overhead ceiling)

Visible Features 15

Environmental and built features

  • Landmarks identified
  • Structures present
  • Natural features
  • Water features
  • Wildlife/habitat indicators
  • Trail surface (type, condition, width)

Accessibility 6

Access and mobility assessment

  • ADA compliance apparent
  • Surface suitability
  • Grade assessment
  • Obstacles identified
  • Mobility device access

Threats & Sensitivities 6

Vulnerability assessment

  • Visible threats identified
  • Vulnerability to change
  • Sensitive viewsheds
  • Invasive species detection
  • Infrastructure condition

Per-Face Analysis (×6 faces per scene)

Each of the six cube faces is analyzed independently, capturing directional scenic quality, view type, and visual elements. This enables identification of specific viewshed directions with highest/lowest scenic value, and precise location of features affecting the assessment.

Front Right Back Left Up Down

Who Uses This

National Park Service
State Park Systems
Scenic Byway Programs
Land Trusts
Conservation Orgs
Landscape Architects
Environmental Consultants
County Planning

Use Cases

See It In Action

Spirit Mound Nature Area

81 scenes with complete VRI analysis. Click any marker to preview.

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