diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py b/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
index 931121488..f4dd1a904 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 from pprint import pformat
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
+import git
 import matplotlib as mpl
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
@@ -30,13 +31,6 @@
 import pooch
 from IPython.display import clear_output, display
 
-# First create a temporary workspace.
-
-# create a temporary workspace
-temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
-workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
-
-# run installed version of flopy or add local path
 import flopy
 
 print(sys.version)
@@ -44,13 +38,24 @@
 print(f"matplotlib version: {mpl.__version__}")
 print(f"pandas version: {pd.__version__}")
 print(f"flopy version: {flopy.__version__}")
-# -
 
-# ### Model Inputs
-
-# first lets load an existing model
+# First create a temporary workspace.
 
 sim_name = "freyberg_multilayer_transient"
+temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
+workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
+
+# Check if we are in the repository and define the data path.
+
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+
+# Download files if needed.
+
 file_names = {
     "freyberg.bas": "781585c140d40a27bce9369baee262c621bcf969de82361ad8d6b4d8c253ee02",
     "freyberg.cbc": "d4e18e968cabde8470fcb7cb8a1c4cc57fcd643bd63b23e7751460bfdb651ea4",
@@ -70,13 +75,16 @@
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=workspace,
+        path=data_path / sim_name,
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
+# -
+# ### Model Inputs
+
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
     "freyberg.nam",
-    model_ws=workspace,
+    model_ws=data_path / sim_name,
     verbose=False,
     check=False,
     exe_name="mfnwt",
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
index 1982262ce..368cddba3 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
@@ -24,20 +24,32 @@
 from shutil import copytree
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
+import git
 import numpy as np
 import pooch
 
-# ## Package import
 import flopy
 
-# ## Load a simple demonstration model
+# ## Loading a model
+
+# Start by creating a temporary workspace and defining some names.
 
 exe_name = "mf6"
 sim_name = "test001e_UZF_3lay"
-
 temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
 sim_ws = Path(temp_dir.name)
 
+# Check if we are in the repository and define the data path.
+
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+
+# Download files if needed.
+
 files = {
     "chd_spd.txt": "4d87f60022832372981caa2bd162681d5c4b8b3fcf8bc7f5de533c96ad1ed03c",
     "mfsim.nam": "2f7889dedb9e7befb45251f08f015bd5531a4952f4141295ebad9e550be365fd",
@@ -59,13 +71,13 @@
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/mf6/{sim_name}/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=sim_ws,
+        path=data_path / "mf6" / sim_name,
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
 # load the model
 sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(
-    sim_ws=sim_ws,
+    sim_ws=data_path / "mf6" / sim_name,
     exe_name=exe_name,
     verbosity_level=0,
 )
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
index 2cb1a7914..4c97d4a49 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@
 
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
+from shutil import copy, copytree
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
+import git
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import pooch
@@ -59,6 +61,15 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
 temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
 workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
 
+# Check if we are in the repository and define the data path.
+
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+
 # Download and load geometries.
 
 geometries_fname = "geometries.yml"
@@ -99,15 +110,18 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=workspace,
+        path=data_path / sim_name,
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
-# Load and run the simulation.
+copytree(data_path / sim_name, workspace / sim_name)
 
-sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_ws=workspace)
-success, buff = sim.run_simulation(silent=True)
-assert success
+# Load the simulation, switch the workspace, and run the simulation.
+
+sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_ws=data_path / sim_name)
+sim.set_sim_path(workspace / sim_name)
+success, buff = sim.run_simulation(silent=True, report=True)
+assert success, buff
 
 # Visualize the head results and boundary conditions from this model.
 
@@ -271,11 +285,13 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
 ascii_file_name = "fine_topo.asc"
 ascii_file = pooch.retrieve(
     url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/geospatial/{ascii_file_name}",
-    fname=fname,
-    path=workspace,
+    fname=ascii_file_name,
+    path=data_path / "geospatial",
     known_hash=None,
 )
 
+copy(data_path / "geospatial" / ascii_file_name, workspace / ascii_file_name)
+
 fine_topo = flopy.utils.Raster.load(ascii_file)
 fine_topo.plot()
 
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/plot_map_view_example.py b/.docs/Notebooks/plot_map_view_example.py
index 17362f16c..ef3a3e8dc 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/plot_map_view_example.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/plot_map_view_example.py
@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 from pprint import pformat
+from shutil import copytree
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
+import git
 import matplotlib as mpl
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
@@ -59,6 +61,15 @@
 tempdir = TemporaryDirectory()
 modelpth = Path(tempdir.name)
 
+# Check if we are in the repository and define the data path.
+
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+
 # + [markdown] pycharm={"name": "#%% md\n"}
 # ### Load and Run an Existing MODFLOW-2005 Model
 # A model called the "Freyberg Model" is located in the modelpth folder.  In the following code block, we load that model, then change into a new workspace (modelpth) where we recreate and run the model.  For this to work properly, the MODFLOW-2005 executable (mf2005) must be in the path.  We verify that it worked correctly by checking for the presence of freyberg.hds and freyberg.cbc.
@@ -80,14 +91,15 @@
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=modelpth,
+        path=data_path / sim_name,
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
 # +
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
-    "freyberg.nam", model_ws=modelpth, exe_name=exe_name_2005, version=v2005
+    "freyberg.nam", model_ws=data_path / sim_name, exe_name=exe_name_2005, version=v2005
 )
+ml.change_model_ws(modelpth)
 ml.write_input()
 success, buff = ml.run_model(silent=True, report=True)
 assert success, pformat(buff)
@@ -502,10 +514,12 @@
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/gis/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=modelpth / "gis",
+        path=data_path / sim_name / "gis",
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
+copytree(data_path / sim_name / "gis", modelpth / "gis")
+
 # + pycharm={"name": "#%%\n"}
 # Setup the figure and PlotMapView. Show a very faint map of ibound and
 # model grid by specifying a transparency alpha value.
@@ -678,14 +692,17 @@
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=sim_path,
+        path=data_path / sim_name,
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
 sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(
-    sim_name="mfsim.nam", version=vmf6, exe_name=exe_name_mf6, sim_ws=sim_path
+    sim_name="mfsim.nam",
+    version=vmf6,
+    exe_name=exe_name_mf6,
+    sim_ws=data_path / sim_name,
 )
-
+sim.set_sim_path(sim_path)
 sim.write_simulation()
 success, buff = sim.run_simulation()
 if not success:
@@ -1270,10 +1287,12 @@ def run_vertex_grid_example(ws):
     pooch.retrieve(
         url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/unstructured/{fname}",
         fname=fname,
-        path=datapth,
+        path=data_path / "unstructured",
         known_hash=fhash,
     )
 
+copytree(data_path / "unstructured", datapth, dirs_exist_ok=True)
+
 
 # simple functions to load vertices and incidence lists
 def load_verts(fname):