diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py b/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
index bf11f6afe..931121488 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/feat_working_stack_examples.py
@@ -27,11 +27,14 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd
-
-# +
+import pooch
 from IPython.display import clear_output, display
 
-proj_root = Path.cwd().parent.parent
+# 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
@@ -46,10 +49,34 @@
 # ### Model Inputs
 
 # first lets load an existing model
-model_ws = proj_root / "examples" / "data" / "freyberg_multilayer_transient"
+
+sim_name = "freyberg_multilayer_transient"
+file_names = {
+    "freyberg.bas": "781585c140d40a27bce9369baee262c621bcf969de82361ad8d6b4d8c253ee02",
+    "freyberg.cbc": "d4e18e968cabde8470fcb7cb8a1c4cc57fcd643bd63b23e7751460bfdb651ea4",
+    "freyberg.ddn": "e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855",
+    "freyberg.dis": "1ef61a467a219c036e58902ce11297e06b4eeb5f2f9d2ea40245b421a248a471",
+    "freyberg.drn": "93c22ab27d599938a8c2fc5b420ec03e5251b11b050d6ae1cb23ce2aa1b77997",
+    "freyberg.hds": "0b3e911ef35f625d2d046e05a20bc1300341b41028220c5b25ace6f5a267ceef",
+    "freyberg.list": "14ec36c22b48d253d6b82c44f36c5bad4f0785b3a3384b386f6b69c4ee2e31bf",
+    "freyberg.nam": "9e3747ce6d6229caec55a9357285a96cb4608dae11d90dd165a23e0bb394a2bd",
+    "freyberg.nwt": "d66c5cc255d050a0f871639af4af0cef8d48fa59c1c64217de65fc6e7fd78cb1",
+    "freyberg.oc": "faefd462d11b9a21c4579420b2156fb616ca642bc1e66fc5eb5e1b9046449e43",
+    "freyberg.rch": "93a12742a2d37961d53df0405e39cbecf0e6f14d45b5ca8cbba84a2d90828258",
+    "freyberg.upw": "80838be7af2f97c92965bad1d121c252b69d9c66e4885c5f3f49a6e99582deac",
+    "freyberg.wel": "dd322655eadff3f618f0835c9277af30720197bd48328aae2d6772f26eef2686",
+}
+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=workspace,
+        known_hash=fhash,
+    )
+
 ml = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
     "freyberg.nam",
-    model_ws=model_ws,
+    model_ws=workspace,
     verbose=False,
     check=False,
     exe_name="mfnwt",
@@ -66,11 +93,6 @@
 ml.drn.plot(key="cond")
 ml.drn.plot(key="elev")
 
-# First create a temporary workspace.
-
-# create a temporary workspace
-temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
-workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
 
 # Write a shapefile of the DIS package.
 
@@ -96,7 +118,7 @@
 #
 # First, let's look at the list file. The list file summarizes the model's results.
 
-mfl = flopy.utils.MfListBudget(model_ws / "freyberg.list")
+mfl = flopy.utils.MfListBudget(workspace / "freyberg.list")
 df_flux, df_vol = mfl.get_dataframes(start_datetime="10-21-2015")
 df_flux
 
@@ -116,7 +138,7 @@
 # Now let's look at the simulated head.
 
 # if you pass the model instance, then the plots will be offset and rotated
-h = flopy.utils.HeadFile(model_ws / "freyberg.hds", model=ml)
+h = flopy.utils.HeadFile(workspace / "freyberg.hds", model=ml)
 h.times
 
 h.plot(totim=900, contour=True, grid=True, colorbar=True, figsize=(10, 10))
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
index 4044c1689..1982262ce 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_output_tutorial01.py
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@
 # by using the built in `.output` attribute on any MODFLOW 6 model or
 # package object
 
-import os
 from pathlib import Path
+from shutil import copytree
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 
 import numpy as np
+import pooch
 
 # ## Package import
 import flopy
@@ -32,9 +33,35 @@
 # ## Load a simple demonstration model
 
 exe_name = "mf6"
-project_root_path = Path.cwd().parent.parent
-ws = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(""))
-sim_ws = str(project_root_path / "examples" / "data" / "mf6" / "test001e_UZF_3lay")
+sim_name = "test001e_UZF_3lay"
+
+temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
+sim_ws = Path(temp_dir.name)
+
+files = {
+    "chd_spd.txt": "4d87f60022832372981caa2bd162681d5c4b8b3fcf8bc7f5de533c96ad1ed03c",
+    "mfsim.nam": "2f7889dedb9e7befb45251f08f015bd5531a4952f4141295ebad9e550be365fd",
+    "simulation.tdis": "d466787698c88b7f229cf244f2c9f226a87628c0a5748819e4e34fd4edc48d4c",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.chd": "96a00121e7004b152a03d0759bf4abfd70f8a1ea21cbce6b9441f18ce4d89b45",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.dis": "d2f879dcba84ec4be8883d6e29ea9197dd0e67c4058fdde7b9e1de737d1e0639",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.ic": "6e434a9d42ffe1b126b26890476f6893e9ab526f3a4ee96e63d443fd9008e1df",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.ims": "c4ef9ebe359def38f0e9ed810b61af0aae9a437c57d54b1db00b8dda20e5b67d",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.nam": "078ea7b0a774546a93c2cedfb98dc686395332ece7df6493653b072d43b4b834",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.npf": "89181af1fd91fe59ea931aae02fe64f855f27c705ee9200c8a9c23831aa7bace",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.obs": "b9857f604c0594a466255f040bd5a47a1687a69ae3be749488bd8736ead7d106",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.oc": "5eb327ead17588a1faa8b5c7dd37844f7a63d98351ef8bb41df1162c87a94d02",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.sto": "8d808d0c2ae4edc114455db3f1766446f9f9d6d3775c46a70369a57509bff811",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay.uzf": "97624f1102abef4985bb40f432523df76bd94e069ac8a4aa17455d0d5b8f146e",
+    "test001e_UZF_3lay_obs.hed": "78c67035fc6f0c5c1d6090c1ce1e50dcab75b361e4ed44dc951f11fd3915a388",
+}
+
+for fname, fhash in files.items():
+    pooch.retrieve(
+        url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/mf6/{sim_name}/{fname}",
+        fname=fname,
+        path=sim_ws,
+        known_hash=fhash,
+    )
 
 # load the model
 sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(
@@ -43,8 +70,6 @@
     verbosity_level=0,
 )
 # change the simulation path, rewrite the files, and run the model
-temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
-sim_ws = temp_dir.name
 sim.set_sim_path(sim_ws)
 sim.write_simulation(silent=True)
 sim.run_simulation(silent=True)
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
index 7895f6bcf..2cb1a7914 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_parallel_model_splitting_example.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
+import pooch
 import yaml
 
 import flopy
@@ -33,12 +34,9 @@
 from flopy.plot import styles
 from flopy.utils.geometry import LineString, Polygon
 
-geometries = yaml.safe_load(
-    open(Path("../../examples/data/groundwater2023/geometries.yml"))
-)
+# Define a few utility functions.
 
 
-# define a few utility functions
 def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
     if conversion is None:
         multiplier = 1.0
@@ -56,22 +54,58 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
     return res
 
 
-# ## Example 1: splitting a simple structured grid model
-#
-# This example shows the basics of using the `Mf6Splitter()` class and applies the method to the Freyberg (1988) model.
-
-simulation_ws = Path("../../examples/data/mf6-freyberg")
-sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_ws=simulation_ws)
-
-# Create a temporary directory for this example and run the Freyberg (1988) model.
+# Create a temporary directory for this example.
 
 temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
 workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
 
-#
+# Download and load geometries.
 
-sim.set_sim_path(workspace)
-sim.write_simulation()
+geometries_fname = "geometries.yml"
+geometries_fpath = pooch.retrieve(
+    url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/groundwater2023/{geometries_fname}",
+    fname=geometries_fname,
+    path=workspace,
+    known_hash="4fb491f9dbd09ef04d6d067458e9866ac79d96448f70910e78c552131a12b6be",
+)
+geometries = yaml.safe_load(open(geometries_fpath))
+
+# Download the Freyberg 1988 model.
+
+sim_name = "mf6-freyberg"
+file_names = {
+    "bot.asc": "3107f907cb027460fd40ffc16cb797a78babb31988c7da326c9f500fba855b62",
+    "description.txt": "94093335eec6a24711f86d4d217ccd5a7716dd9e01cb6b732bc7757d41675c09",
+    "freyberg.cbc": "c8ad843b1da753eb58cf6c462ac782faf0ca433d6dcb067742d8bd698db271e3",
+    "freyberg.chd": "d8b8ada8d3978daea1758b315be983b5ca892efc7d69bf6b367ceec31e0dd156",
+    "freyberg.dis": "cac230a207cc8483693f7ba8ae29ce40c049036262eac4cebe17a4e2347a8b30",
+    "freyberg.dis.grb": "c8c26fb1fa4b210208134b286d895397cf4b3131f66e1d9dda76338502c7e96a",
+    "freyberg.hds": "926a06411ca658a89db6b5686f51ddeaf5b74ced81239cab1d43710411ba5f5b",
+    "freyberg.ic": "6efb56ee9cdd704b9a76fb9efd6dae750facc5426b828713f2d2cf8d35194120",
+    "freyberg.ims": "6dddae087d85417e3cdaa13e7b24165afb7f9575ab68586f3adb6c1b2d023781",
+    "freyberg.nam": "cee9b7b000fe35d2df26e878d09d465250a39504f87516c897e3fa14dcda081e",
+    "freyberg.npf": "81104d3546045fff0eddf5059465e560b83b492fa5a5acad1907ce18c2b9c15f",
+    "freyberg.oc": "c0715acd75eabcc42c8c47260a6c1abd6c784350983f7e2e6009ddde518b80b8",
+    "freyberg.rch": "a6ec1e0eda14fd2cdf618a5c0243a9caf82686c69242b783410d5abbcf971954",
+    "freyberg.riv": "a8cafc8c317cbe2acbb43e2f0cfe1188cb2277a7a174aeb6f3e6438013de8088",
+    "freyberg.sto": "74d748c2f0adfa0a32ee3f2912115c8f35b91011995b70c1ec6ae1c627242c41",
+    "freyberg.tdis": "9965cbb17caf5b865ea41a4ec04bcb695fe15a38cb539425fdc00abbae385cbe",
+    "freyberg.wel": "f19847de455598de52c05a4be745698c8cb589e5acfb0db6ab1f06ded5ff9310",
+    "k11.asc": "b6a8aa46ef17f7f096d338758ef46e32495eb9895b25d687540d676744f02af5",
+    "mfsim.nam": "6b8d6d7a56c52fb2bff884b3979e3d2201c8348b4bbfd2b6b9752863cbc9975e",
+    "top.asc": "3ad2b131671b9faca7f74c1dd2b2f41875ab0c15027764021a89f9c95dccaa6a",
+}
+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=workspace,
+        known_hash=fhash,
+    )
+
+# Load and run the simulation.
+
+sim = flopy.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_ws=workspace)
 success, buff = sim.run_simulation(silent=True)
 assert success
 
@@ -234,7 +268,13 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
 #
 # Load an ASCII raster file
 
-ascii_file = Path("../../examples/data/geospatial/fine_topo.asc")
+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,
+    known_hash=None,
+)
 
 fine_topo = flopy.utils.Raster.load(ascii_file)
 fine_topo.plot()
@@ -657,7 +697,7 @@ def string2geom(geostring, conversion=None):
 new_sim = mfsplit.split_model(split_array)
 
 temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
-workspace = Path("temp")
+workspace = Path(temp_dir.name)
 
 new_ws = workspace / "opt_split_models"
 new_sim.set_sim_path(new_ws)
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_sfr_tutorial01.py b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_sfr_tutorial01.py
index 69d65bc40..65564add8 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_sfr_tutorial01.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/mf6_sfr_tutorial01.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 # +
 import sys
 
+import pooch
+
 import flopy
 
 print(sys.version)
diff --git a/.docs/Notebooks/modpath6_example.py b/.docs/Notebooks/modpath6_example.py
index 5620b023d..25189a7c3 100644
--- a/.docs/Notebooks/modpath6_example.py
+++ b/.docs/Notebooks/modpath6_example.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd
+import pooch
 
 import flopy
 
@@ -50,14 +51,73 @@
 
 # temporary directory
 temp_dir = TemporaryDirectory()
-model_ws = temp_dir.name
+model_ws = Path(temp_dir.name)
+file_names = {
+    "EXAMPLE-1.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-1.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-2.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-2.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-2.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-3.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-3.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-3.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-3.pathline": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-4.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-4.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-4.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-4.timeseries": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-5.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-5.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-5.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-6.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-6.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-6.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-6.timeseries": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-7.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-7.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-7.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-7.timeseries": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-8.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-8.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-8.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-8.timeseries": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-9.endpoint": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-9.mplist": None,
+    "EXAMPLE-9.mpsim": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.BA6": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.BUD": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.DIS": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.DIS.metadata": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.HED": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.LPF": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.LST": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.MPBAS": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.OC": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.PCG": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.RCH": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.RIV": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.WEL": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.mpnam": None,
+    "EXAMPLE.nam": None,
+    "example-1.mplist": None,
+    "example-6.locations": None,
+    "example-7.locations": None,
+    "example-8.locations": None,
+    "example.basemap": None,
+}
+for fname, fhash in file_names.items():
+    pooch.retrieve(
+        url=f"https://github.com/modflowpy/flopy/raw/develop/examples/data/mp6/{fname}",
+        fname=fname,
+        path=model_ws,
+        known_hash=fhash,
+    )
 
-model_path = Path.cwd().parent.parent / "examples" / "data" / "mp6"
-mffiles = list(model_path.glob("EXAMPLE.*"))
+mffiles = list(model_ws.glob("EXAMPLE.*"))
 
-m = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load("EXAMPLE.nam", model_ws=model_path)
+m = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load("EXAMPLE.nam", model_ws=model_ws)
 
-hdsfile = flopy.utils.HeadFile(os.path.join(model_path, "EXAMPLE.HED"))
+hdsfile = flopy.utils.HeadFile(os.path.join(model_ws, "EXAMPLE.HED"))
 hdsfile.get_kstpkper()
 
 hds = hdsfile.get_data(kstpkper=(0, 2))
@@ -93,7 +153,7 @@
     modelname="ex6",
     exe_name="mp6",
     modflowmodel=m,
-    model_ws=str(model_path),
+    model_ws=str(model_ws),
 )
 
 mpb = flopy.modpath.Modpath6Bas(
@@ -109,10 +169,6 @@
     start_time=(2, 0, 1.0),
 )
 
-shutil.copy(model_path / "EXAMPLE.DIS", join(model_ws, "EXAMPLE.DIS"))
-shutil.copy(model_path / "EXAMPLE.HED", join(model_ws, "EXAMPLE.HED"))
-shutil.copy(model_path / "EXAMPLE.BUD", join(model_ws, "EXAMPLE.BUD"))
-
 mp.change_model_ws(model_ws)
 mp.write_name_file()
 mp.write_input()
@@ -203,7 +259,7 @@
 # Replace WEL package with MNW2, and create backward tracking simulation using particles released at MNW well.
 
 m2 = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load(
-    "EXAMPLE.nam", model_ws=str(model_path), exe_name="mf2005"
+    "EXAMPLE.nam", model_ws=str(model_ws), exe_name="mf2005"
 )
 m2.get_package_list()
 
diff --git a/.docs/tutorials.rst b/.docs/tutorials.rst
index 7b2525504..56a7b3773 100644
--- a/.docs/tutorials.rst
+++ b/.docs/tutorials.rst
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@ Tutorials
 
 The following tutorials demonstrate basic FloPy features and usage with MODFLOW 2005, MODFLOW 6, and related programs.
 
+The basic set of MODFLOW executables as well as the `optional` dependency group are both required to run the tutorials.
+
+If the tutorial/example scripts detect that they are running within the repository, they will use local example data.
+Otherwise they will download example data files where necessary from GitHub.
+
 FloPy
 -----
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 9f5cf4e12..ade0dbaf1 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ optional = [
     "fiona",
     "geojson",
     "geopandas",
+    "GitPython",
     "imageio",
     "netcdf4",
+    "pooch",
     "pymetis ; platform_system != 'Windows'",
     "pyproj",
     "pyshp",