My first real backpacking trips were in NP's so the areas to camp in were real backcountry camps - and you had to use them (like up at Rainier) unless you had a real permit for 1/4 mile off the trail. That helped so much - I knew I'd find camp "x" miles in <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It got different of course on NF lands....here in the PNW though there are always established campsites near every freaking lake, river or spit of water. So no fears...lol!