CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia should consider charging visitors an entry fee at some of its state parks to raise needed revenues, a legislative audit recommended Wednesday, but the governor and some lawmakers say they don’t like the idea.

The report presented during interim meetings also advises cuts to the parks’ more costly operations, singling out the golf course at Hawks Nest State Park.

West Virginia’s park system is among 10 nationwide without entry fees. It’s the second-most self-sufficient of those systems, and the 11th nationwide. But existing revenues, largely from park golf courses, lodges and cabins, cover only 60 percent of park system spending, which totaled $35.3 million during the 2008-2008 budget year, the report said.

Park system officials told auditors they need $3 million more annually to replace equipment and make major repairs that so far have been deferred. The report displays photos of buildings in disrepair, including several of historical worth, and rundown picnic and playground areas.

Senior analyst Brandon Burton told lawmakers that a 2004 study estimated the system could net $1.2 million a year by charging a $3-per-vehicle fee at a dozen of its parks, wildlife management areas and state forests. The report suggests the state conduct a new study.

Gov. Joe Manchin opposes entrance fees, spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro said Wednesday.

“While the governor believes we can find some efficiencies, he is not in favor of and will not support charging entry fees at our state parks,” Scarbro said.

Lawmakers at Wednesday’s meeting also questioned that option.

“We need to preserve what’s there, but I will rue the day that we have to enact entry fees,” said Sen. Richard Browning, D-Wyoming.

The Division of Natural Resources, which oversees the parks system, believes such a move would require public comment and legislative debate, Director Frank Jezioro said in a written response to the audit.

“At this time, let it suffice to say that some of these ideas should probably only be considered as last resorts in the face of any unprecedented future fiscal crisis that might face our state,” Jezioro.

Other options mentioned but not necessarily recommended in the report include selling park system property or mineral rights. But Jezioro said his agency agrees that the state should end its lease for the Hawks Nest golf course.

The state agreed to operate the nine-hole, Fayette County course in 2000 after the owner could not find a buyer. The audit estimates saving $180,000 a year by canceling the contract.

Delegate Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette, suggested the state improve efforts to market the course, and said park visitors and area residents appear largely unaware that they can golf there.

But Ken Caplinger, Jezioro’s parks chief, said it’s not up to the standards of other, more popular courses.

“It’s a challenge to market that particular facility,” he said. “Frankly, my opinion is that it is a losing proposition and will continue to be.

West Virginia offers 35 state parks that average nearly 4,000 acres as well as seven state forests, five wildlife management areas and two river trails. The system also features a dozen lodges with 868 rooms, the second-most of any state, the report said.

The system attracted 6.6 million visitors last year, an increase from 2007 but lower than each of the three previous years.