Adam, it may just be the TYPE of squat you're doing, your form, using too much weight, or the technique.
I have a "bad back" as well, but squats (modified) feel good. I can't lift as heavy as I'd like, and I have to really concentrate to flex through the movement, using my body instead of just piling on the poundage, but the squat is probably the most natural movement of the human body, and one that strengthens then entire body.
I understand working around it, believe me. It sucks.
I don't do more than 6-8 squats at a time. You may find that you CAN squat, maybe lighter weight more reps, maybe you can work up to heavy weight but very few reps.... I avoided them too for the same reason until I figured out how to incorporate them.
Technique is everything.
I've seen people do dangerous looking squats, even for a healthy back.
Ever try them with seriously
light weight?
Sometimes even in
physical therapy they'll encorporate modified squatting to engage your CNS and entire muscular system for balance.
More often than not it's refining/modifying the form, and not trying to just duplicate what you were accustomed to.
May want to talk to your doc or a PT about it.
If all else fails, yeah, leg presses feel good and you can do them to "feel" like a squat too, just by focusing.
, but Í do them 4-5 out of 6 leg sessions because I consider em that important. Dont know about talking to a 
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