A clustering based load adaptive sleeping protocol for ad hoc networks includes a plurality of nodes forming a cluster, where the nodes in the cluster are partitioned into n groups. This partitioning is performed based on the node ID (e.g. node_id modulo n). The cluster head transmits a beacon at fixed intervals. The beacon interval is divided into N slots, where N is a multiple of n. Node sleep/activation times are synchronized to the beacon interval slots. The node's group number is used to determine the slots within a beacon interval that a node begins it s sleep cycle. Therefore, no additional signaling is required between nodes to indicate sleep patterns. The sleeping time of each node may be increased when extended periods of inactivity are detected according to an adaptive procedure.