(AP) — Visitors to Nebraska’s state parks and recreational areas are buying fewer entrance permits this year than in 2012, but the numbers are still above average after a surge in sales last year.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission had sold more than 336,000 park-entrance permits as of the end of July. That’s about 25,000 fewer than last year, but still above the five-year average.

Game and Parks officials say an unusually mild spring and a lack of rain helped boost last year’s sales. The sales have generated $4.6 million in revenue so far this year, down from nearly $4.9 million during the same period in 2012. In 2011, state revenue from the permit sales was about $3.5 million.

The revenue helps pay for park maintenance and upkeep.