For the third straight year, attendance at North Carolina’s state parks and state recreation areas hovered at a record level with 14.2 million visits in 2013, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Among 40 state parks and state recreation areas, 19 reported increases in attendance in 2013. Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County reported the highest attendance at 1.19 million visits, followed closely by Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County with 1.18 million visits. Several relatively new state parks reported strong attendance, especially Carvers Creek State Park in Cumberland County with 38.740 visitors since it opened in September. Mayo River State Park in Rockingham County experienced a 69 percent jump in visitation, while Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County reported visitation up 40 percent. A recent economic study revealed that travelers spend an average $23.56 a day to enjoy the state parks.