Travelling by RV has surged in popularity in recent times, but the thrill of being on the road has long allured those eager to discover new places—and stick around. "We have fallen in love with the RV lifestyle and spend about five months a year in our trailer," says Jim Scott, a Costco member and long-time RV-er from Carman, Manitoba. "We feel the journey is as much of the fun as the destination." Jim and his wife, Pat, tend to avoid main roads and often stop to peruse small towns in Canada and the U.S.

Whether you're getting ready for a first jaunt or want to up your RV game, a multitude of resources are available to help you along the way. Here are a few to get you started on your next self-guided adventure.

Along with the rise of RV travel comes a growing need to plan your lodging in advance. "Book as early as you can," advises Shane Devenish, a Costco member and executive director of the Canadian Camping and RV Council. "Some campgrounds open for booking on January 1." Others might open later in the year, such as early spring. Call ahead or look online to see if—and when—reservations can be made.

There are three main types of campgrounds in Canada: private, provincial and federal. Camping on crown land is another option.

"For camping spots in reservable provincial campgrounds, be sure to set a reminder in your phone for the opening date," says Celeste Klassen, a camping and slow-travel enthusiast from Edmonton, Alberta, who blogs at Slow Travel Blog (slowtravelblog.com). "Most provinces book out all of their popular camping spots immediately, so you need to be ready to go with the dates and campgrounds you want."

Some provincial recreation areas have camping sites that are not reservable, creating another option for on-the-go bookings. "I like to search for provincial recreation areas on the map and save all of the ones on our planned route," says Klassen, a Costco member. "Then we can check each one as we drive."