diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/export_vtk_tutorial.py b/.docs/Notebooks/export_vtk_tutorial.py
index e701e69cb..2719da25d 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/export_vtk_tutorial.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/export_vtk_tutorial.py
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@
 from pprint import pformat
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
+import git
 import numpy as np
+import pooch
 
 import flopy
 from flopy.export import vtk
@@ -42,11 +44,39 @@
 print(f"flopy version: {flopy.__version__}")
 # -
 
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+sim_name = "freyberg_multilayer_transient"
+file_names = {
+    "freyberg.bas": None,
+    "freyberg.cbc": None,
+    "freyberg.ddn": None,
+    "freyberg.dis": None,
+    "freyberg.drn": None,
+    "freyberg.hds": None,
+    "freyberg.list": None,
+    "freyberg.nam": None,
+    "freyberg.nwt": None,
+    "freyberg.oc": None,
+    "freyberg.rch": None,
+    "freyberg.upw": None,
+    "freyberg.wel": None,
+}
+for fname, fhash in file_names.items():
+    pooch.retrieve(
+        url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/{sim_name}/{fname}",
+        fname=fname,
+        path=data_path / sim_name,
+        known_hash=fhash,
+    )
+
 # load model for examples
 nam_file = "freyberg.nam"
-model_ws = Path(
-    os.path.join("..", "..", "examples", "data", "freyberg_multilayer_transient")
-)
+model_ws = data_path / sim_name
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(nam_file, model_ws=model_ws, check=False)
 
 # Create a temporary workspace.
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf_load_tutorial.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf_load_tutorial.py
index 91db0b0db..4ea9077c2 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf_load_tutorial.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf_load_tutorial.py
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@
 # +
 import os
 import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import git
+import pooch
 
 import flopy
 
@@ -30,6 +34,14 @@
 print(f"flopy version: {flopy.__version__}")
 # -
 
+try:
+    root = Path(git.Repo(".", search_parent_directories=True).working_dir)
+except:
+    root = None
+
+data_path = root / "examples" / "data" if root else Path.cwd()
+
+
 # ## The `load()` method
 #
 # To load a MODFLOW 2005 model, use the `Modflow.load()` method. The method's first argument is the path or name of the model namefile. Other parameters include:
@@ -38,7 +50,25 @@
 # - `verbose`: whether to write diagnostic information useful for troubleshooting
 # - `check`: whether to check for model configuration errors
 
-model_ws = os.path.join("..", "..", "examples", "data", "mf2005_test")
+file_names = [
+    "bcf2ss.ba6",
+    "bcf2ss.bc6",
+    "bcf2ss.dis",
+    "bcf2ss.nam",
+    "bcf2ss.oc",
+    "bcf2ss.pcg",
+    "bcf2ss.rch",
+    "bcf2ss.riv",
+    "bcf2ss.wel",
+]
+for fname in file_names:
+    pooch.retrieve(
+        url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/mf2005_test/{fname}",
+        fname=fname,
+        path=data_path / "mf2005_test",
+        known_hash=None,
+    )
+model_ws = data_path / "mf2005_test"
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
     "bcf2ss.nam",
     model_ws=model_ws,
@@ -51,7 +81,31 @@
 #
 # Below we load a model containig auxiliary variables, then access them.
 
-model_ws = os.path.join("..", "..", "examples", "data", "mp6")
+file_names = [
+    "EXAMPLE.BA6",
+    "EXAMPLE.BUD",
+    "EXAMPLE.DIS",
+    "EXAMPLE.DIS.metadata",
+    "EXAMPLE.HED",
+    "EXAMPLE.LPF",
+    "EXAMPLE.LST",
+    "EXAMPLE.MPBAS",
+    "EXAMPLE.OC",
+    "EXAMPLE.PCG",
+    "EXAMPLE.RCH",
+    "EXAMPLE.RIV",
+    "EXAMPLE.WEL",
+    "EXAMPLE.mpnam",
+    "EXAMPLE.nam",
+]
+for fname in file_names:
+    pooch.retrieve(
+        url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/mp6/{fname}",
+        fname=fname,
+        path=data_path / "mp6",
+        known_hash=None,
+    )
+model_ws = data_path / "mp6"
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
     "EXAMPLE.nam",
     model_ws=model_ws,