So, we thought we would try this for an enroute stop between SoCal and Phoenix.  However, due to a couple of unplanned stops we got here after dark.  Found a spot that seemed easy enough to pull off the road and set up for one night.  We saw several areas where one or two or more rigs were already parked and didn't enter those as we didn't want to intrude on campers already set up.

Are there any "rules of the road" regarding these BLM areas?  Really don't want to have someone think we're invading their space but we haven't done much camping that had no designated campsites so we were trying to figure out where to park in the dark (it was about 6:30 PM) so we weren't really late, just got in after the sun went down.  We're going to explore a bit tomorrow in daylight before we head to Phoenix.

Thanks

Can't speak specifically to Quartzsite but I utilize many BLM sites, and my experience is pretty much first come, first served.  Don't think about it too much, we all share a similar lifestyle and at the very least, learn to work around each other.  Being early, especially at a busy time has advantages however, many, myself included, often night over in one spot and then reposition based on the discovery of what morning reveals. Obviously, using common sense and courtesy I typically pick a spot that offers what best appeals to my needs and preferences.  Anyone else will do the same.

Good luck, may you have some fun and a rewarding experience.  I'm sure you'll meet some fine folks while there. I've been interested in your idea of a meet-up but I'm in work mode right now and seldom have an opportunity to get away for more than a few days at a time. Perhaps in the first quarter of next year if "Dreamers" are gravitating around Southern AZ it would certainly be entertaining to meet & greet others. 

Be well, be aware, and keep all things as light as possible.

Bruce

As a rule of thumb, I will leave as much space as possible between my RV and other RVs unless I'm part of a group.

You really don't know how much space other already setup RVs consider theirs in unmarked camping areas. I know I hate it when I find a space with lots of room in a camping area, where there are few rigs and then an RV comes in and parks as close as some RV Parks think is plenty of room. It's like " Hey you've invaded my space, go find your own piece of heaven".

Not much I'm willing to do about it unless I want to pack up and move somewhere else. That being said we've only had that happen a couple of times.

One time was kind of comical... From dusk until we decided to go in to bed there wasn't an RV in sight. At some point a storm came up during the night and when I got out of the RV in the morning there were 4 other RVs kind of snuggled around us as if they were seeking shelter from the storm. All of them left within a couple of hours of day light, so I figured they had stopped to wait out the storm. I guess they reasoned if we felt safe in that area it was good enough for them.

Next time we're definitely arriving earlier in the day!!
Best advice for just about any campground/RV Resort

After rereading this post- I remembered at Off Road Races folks would use the tall orange cones and yellow tape to cordon off what they considered their area. It was very effective and some of them blocked off very large areas, way more than they needed. Luckily there was always lots of room to choose from for the rest of us..