Hernando Scalloping Season by RV: Dates, Rules, Base Camp

Hernando scalloping season runs July 1 through September 24 in the FWC zone that covers Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties, which were the 2026 dates. Each person may keep 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, a boat tops out at 10 gallons, and harvest is by hand or dip net only. If you want to spend that week on the water, a delivered travel trailer near Spring Hill puts your camp a short drive from the Hernando Beach and Bayport ramps.

This guide is for the family or friend group planning a scallop week with their own boat in tow. One practical detail shapes everything below: if your truck is already pulling a boat, it cannot also pull a camper, which is why having the trailer brought to your site matters.

When is scallop season in the Hernando zone?

The Hernando zone opens July 1 and closes September 24, based on the most recent official season (2026) on the FWC bay scallop page. As of November 2026, FWC had not posted 2027 dates, so treat any 2027 calendar as provisional until the agency publishes it.

Watch the county line closely. Hudson and the rest of Pasco County sit in a separate Pasco zone with its own rules, and in 2026 FWC closed that zone on August 6 because of Pyrodinium bahamense toxin levels. An open Hernando season does not mean Pasco waters are open too.

What are the bag limits and gear rules?

Each harvester can keep 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of meat per day, according to FWC. The limits:

So six adults on one boat still stop at 10 gallons. Pack plenty of ice; UF/IFAS notes scallops die quickly without cold.

Do you need a fishing license to scallop?

Yes, recreational scallopers need a Florida saltwater fishing license unless they fall under an exemption. In short:

Licenses are sold through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or the FishHunt FL app, per FWC.

What are the dive flag rules on the water?

Anyone snorkeling for scallops must have a divers-down flag or buoy displayed, and FWC sets the distances. Key points:

Where do you launch in Hernando County?

Most Hernando scallopers launch from the county's coastal ramps along Cortez Boulevard and Shoal Line Boulevard, then run out to the grass flats. UF/IFAS says bay scallops usually sit in 4 to 10 feet of water on or near seagrass, often where sand meets the grass edge, and that Hernando has an estimated 250,000 acres of seagrass offshore.

Where should you base camp with a travel trailer?

The best base is a park near the coast with hookups and short stays, so you can come back salty, rinse off, and cook the day's catch. Cody's RV Park at 8588 Ostrom Way in Spring Hill is one verified option:

Cody's does not publish rules on delivered or rented RVs or a maximum rig length, so ask them before you book. If you would rather sleep under longleaf pines, the Withlacoochee State Forest campgrounds east of Brooksville are a quieter, longer drive to the ramps. Our Spring Hill RV rental page and Weeki Wachee RV rental page list more nearby parks, including which ones are 55+ and not a fit for families. Our Hudson page covers stays just over the county line in the Pasco zone.

Which of our trailers suits a scallop crew?

For a scallop week, pick the trailer by how many people are sleeping in it and how much gear comes back wet. Brooksville RV Rentals offers travel trailers and one fifth wheel, with delivery and setup at campgrounds; the delivery fee, which units can be delivered, and timing are confirmed with our team per booking.

Nightly rates are the starting point, not the whole bill; the rates page notes some charges are added separately. Dishes and linens are included, and every rental has roadside assistance.

Frequently asked questions

When does Hernando County scallop season open in 2027?

FWC had not posted 2027 dates as of November 2026. The 2026 Hernando zone season ran July 1 through September 24, and the same window appeared in a 2019 UF/IFAS guide, but confirm on the FWC bay scallop page before booking.

Is Hudson in the same scallop zone as Hernando Beach?

No. The Hernando zone ends at the Hernando to Pasco county line, and Hudson waters fall in the separate Pasco zone, which FWC closed early on August 6, 2026 because of toxin levels.

Do kids need a fishing license to scallop in Hernando County?

No, not if they are under 16. FWC exempts youth under 16 from the saltwater fishing license, but they still count toward the bag and vessel limits.

Can I scallop off Hernando Beach without a boat?

Yes, legally, if you wade from shore, and Florida residents can use the free shoreline license for that. In practice, UF/IFAS says scallops usually sit in 4 to 10 feet of water, so most people snorkel from an anchored boat.

Where should I throw away scallop shells in Hernando County?

Put shells in a trash can or take them home. FWC and UF/IFAS both warn against dumping them in rivers, channels, ramps or marinas, where they harm seagrass and can cut swimmers.

Can you deliver a trailer to my campground for scallop week?

Yes, delivery and setup at campgrounds is offered. The fee, which units can go, and timing are confirmed per booking, and your campground must accept a delivered rental, so check its rules first.

Ready to plan your scallop week?

Pick your dates once FWC confirms the season, choose a campground near the ramps, then contact our Manager and the Brooksville RV Rentals Team, share your park and dates, and they can confirm whether delivery works there. To compare trailers and open dates now, View available RVs.

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