Tent camping at a long term visitor area

[sophocles]

Hello all! I am new to this forum. I look forward to your tips and expertise. I am spending the winter either at Quartzsite, Arizona or on one of the Imperial Dam reservoirs. I have Google-mapped those areas with satellite, and know them to be desert camping. Is anyone on this forum familiar with tent camping on this type ground and treeless environment? I was planning on a basic tarp lean-to for sleeping, and then a dining fly-canopy for day time. Considering windy conditions, wouldn't the tent poles need staked-down foot pads?
Any advice, resources, links, etc are greatly appreciated. Happy Camping! Let's have a wonderful fall and even better winter!