Highbanks Campground, while situated on the Alleghany Reservoir is anything but scenic. At first glance of the campground map, we thought we had lucked out with our site. It appeared to back up to the water. As we made our way through the campground, we were less and less enthusiastic with the campground as a whole and were even more horrified when we pulled into our site. What looked on the map to be a lovely scenic location was actually a gravel driveway which backed straight up to a six foot chain link fence with no views at all, except for that of steel. The entire site was perhaps 40' x 40' and privacy was non-existent. Out of 77 electric sites, it appeared that 70 were seasonal rentals. Upon arrival the staff could barely even manage to give us a map to find our campsite and asked us to return again in the morning to pay, even though they were still technically 'open'. While our 9pm arrival may have been too late for the staff, campers were apparently in full swing, evidenced by all the driving around the grounds on mini-bikes, ATVs etc. screaming and hooting. Dogs barked and kids screamed until nearly midnight. With little or no space between campers, the screaming and dog barking may as well have been in the same 'room'. This is certainly NOT the quiet getaway from it all kind of campground we had hoped for. The restrooms and showers were atrocious. In fact, on one visit, there was no toilet paper at all in the ladies room. I would not venture to shower in this facility. Not only did I question whether there was sufficient privacy between the mens and womens sides, but it was clearly unclean. In my phone call to the grounds ahead of time, we expressed interest in Allegheny State Park (which was of course sold out for camping). We were assured it was only a few minutes down the road. In fact it was a full 20 minutes away, door to door. If you're looking for a campground where you can pass the 'Gray Poupon' to your neighbor without leaving your camp chair, where you can compete with your neighbors for the most gaudy and outlandish Christmas light display on your 'site', where the sounds of jet skis, dogs barking and kids playing waaaaay past any reasonable quiet time are the norm, then this is just the spot for you. If, on the other hand, you'd like a little privacy, you want to hear your own campfire crackle, you'd like to hear the birds sing in the morning and you can live without Christmas in July, I would pick another site. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.

People behind the counter were pleasant and helpful. Some sites had the water and electrical outlets separated by 50-75 feet. Bathrooms were pickup and generally clean but there were many very small toads or frogs on the walls. The pool was new and clean. There was a pavilion next to the pool with picnic tables and really nice barbeques. We camped here in a Motorhome.

The Bad: All sites electric in heavy forest. Had to share a water with my neighbor. Very low pressure. Lots of permanent sites. No soap, towels, or hand dryers in bathrooms. The Good: Clean bathrooms. Nice new pool. Easy reservoir access. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.