(RALEIGH) -- Many are looking to North Carolina's state parks for affordable recreation. There were 14.25 million visits to parks and state recreation areas in 2011.

State parks spokesman Charlie Peek said some parks added new offerings which were well received.  "As in the past the big jumps have been in various places and are just impossible to predict.  One that was not was at Lake James, we put in a new swim beach there which was much anticipated," said Peek.

Among 39 state parks and recreation areas, 15 reported increases in attendance last year. Jockey's Ridge State Park in Dare County had the highest attendance at 1.32 million visits, down slightly form 1.47 million in 2010. Over the past 25 years, the state parks system has seen a 102 percent increase in visitation.