Huh, you're right: today I learned! I might have to do that the next time I'm in the Canyonlands.
In that case... yeah, I'd do it. Just rock up to Antelope Canyon (don't get there too early though, part of the appeal is the light shining in the top of the slot canyon), do the tour. It's gonna be a LONG drive back to Vegas, but it'll be worth it for the memories.
On the way, stop in at the
Cameron Trading Post and pick up some authentic Navajo and Hopi souvenirs. (And try the fry bread - it's SO tasty.)
I've white-water rafted the Colorado up at Moab, which is huge fun (especially on a 105-degree day); I can only assume it'd be equally good fun lower down. I'd say base yourself in Page, so you can go rafting then go straight back to your hotel and have a shower; if you are REALLY fancy,
the Amangiri resort just down the road from Page starts at eleven hundred bucks a night but is apparently phenomenal.
A thing to note: if you're heading back to Las Vegas from Page, it's actually quicker to go 'round the north side of the Grand Canyon - which means you can drop by Zion National Park on your way through. I highly recommend this! And if you'd rather not stay in Page, because you want to make a bit of progress back to Las Vegas before you hit the sack, Kanab and St. George are both on the way back and both perfectly nice. (If you decide to take the detour through Zion NP, you can either spend the night at the
Best Western East Zion Lodge, which is before the big drive down to Zion; or drive all the way through Zion and spend the night in Springfield.)
If it were me, and I was driving back from Page to Las Vegas over two days and I was starting out kinda late, I'd probably crash at the East Zion Lodge, then drive down through Zion the next morning with the sun at my back.
