One of my favorite backpacks is Redwood National Park in Northern California — particularly Redwood Creek where you are surrounded by towering old growth redwoods.
Access goes something like this: you get you permit at park headquarters. They give you the combination to a locked gate. Past the gate, you drive 6-7 miles to a parking area. From there, you hike a mere 1.5 miles down to the creek and your backpacking camp.
With your camp set up along the creek, you take a great 7.5 mile round trip along the Dolason Prairie Trail up through redwood groves and pristine forest to open prairie views and an overview of the entire area.
Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
How was the river for crossings? Looking at doing the Redwood Creek Trail in a few weeks.
I did the Dolason Trail with my girlfriend a few years back. Amazing trail we had a ball.
Camping right next to a river is so nice. One of my favorite things to do at Mt. Baker in Washington State.