Apparatus and methods are disclosed for adapting the power of an access probe transmission, in accordance with a reverse link underload indicator provided by the base station. In one example, the base station can transmit a one-bit reverse link underload indicator as an information element broadcasted within a general page message (GPM). Here, the reverse link underload indicator can indicate whether a measured rise-over-thermal (RoT) at the base station is less than a given threshold. The access terminal may accordingly reduce the initial transmit power of an access probe transmission in the case of a reverse link underload condition, as this condition would indicate that the base station could accommodate reduced power access probe transmissions without substantially decreasing the probability of a quick detection of the access attempt. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.