We spent a long weekend in Monument Valley and never paid any entrance fees. We drove up from Flagstaff, stayed in Kayenta on the Navajo reservation and then drove to the valley and spent the afternoon exploring on horseback. I wondered if the fee was a new thing or just on certain entrances. But then we did leave Monument valley and drove north to Four Corners, still no entrance fees. It was incredible scenery, although very remote. The best food we had was when we ate small diners and ordered local favorites such as "indian Taco" which turned out to be Indian fry bread with beans, lettuce and other things stuffed inside. I could get used to those!