Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		$ 102,282,000	$ 85,706,000	$ 292,115,000	$ 240,306,000
Tenant reimbursements		3,821,000	3,718,000	11,577,000	11,986,000
Other income		2,476,000	718,000	5,812,000	2,416,000
Mortgage and other financing income		17,031,000	18,193,000	52,907,000	54,321,000
Total revenue		125,610,000	108,335,000	362,411,000	309,029,000
Property operating expense		5,626,000	5,496,000	16,687,000	17,623,000
Other expense		0	221,000	5,000	533,000
Total investment expenses		5,626,000	5,717,000	16,692,000	18,156,000
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		119,984,000	102,618,000	345,719,000	290,873,000
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense		(9,091,000)	(7,482,000)	(27,309,000)	(22,920,000)
Retirement severance expense		0	0	0	(18,578,000)
Costs associated with loan refinancing		(14,000)	(18,000)	(905,000)	(261,000)
Interest expense, net		(24,265,000)	(20,529,000)	(70,310,000)	(59,123,000)
Transaction costs		(2,947,000)	(783,000)	(4,881,000)	(6,818,000)
Depreciation and amortization		(27,601,000)	(23,498,000)	(79,222,000)	(64,702,000)
Equity in income from joint ventures		203,000	339,000	501,000	701,000
Gain on sale of real estate		1,615,000	(95,000)	3,885,000	23,829,000
Income tax expense		(358,000)	(498,000)	(637,000)	(1,418,000)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		0	(141,000)	0	(199,000)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties		57,526,000	50,195,000	166,841,000	141,782,000
Preferred dividend requirements		(5,951,000)	(5,951,000)	(17,855,000)	(17,855,000)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties		51,575,000	44,244,000	148,986,000	123,927,000
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		64,134,000	59,637,000	185,530,000	179,407,000
Tenant reimbursements		3,816,000	3,718,000	11,570,000	12,009,000
Other income		8,000	1,000	222,000	504,000
Mortgage and other financing income		1,294,000	1,782,000	4,927,000	5,346,000
Total revenue		69,252,000	65,138,000	202,249,000	197,266,000
Property operating expense		5,228,000	5,413,000	15,815,000	17,399,000
Other expense			0	0	0
Total investment expenses		5,228,000	5,413,000	15,815,000	17,399,000
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		64,024,000	59,725,000	186,434,000	179,867,000
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		19,900,000	13,990,000	54,797,000	34,887,000
Tenant reimbursements		5,000	0	7,000	0
Other income		0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income		7,319,000	7,479,000	25,228,000	23,056,000
Total revenue		27,224,000	21,469,000	80,032,000	57,943,000
Property operating expense		0	0	0	0
Other expense			0	0	0
Total investment expenses		0	0	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		27,224,000	21,469,000	80,032,000	57,943,000
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		15,958,000	12,079,000	45,443,000	26,012,000
Tenant reimbursements		0	0	0	0
Other income		1,825,000	0	3,635,000	0
Mortgage and other financing income		8,384,000	8,835,000	22,650,000	25,629,000
Total revenue		26,167,000	20,914,000	71,728,000	51,641,000
Property operating expense		0	0	8,000	0
Other expense			0	0	0
Total investment expenses		0	0	8,000	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		26,167,000	20,914,000	71,720,000	51,641,000
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		2,290,000	0	6,345,000	0
Tenant reimbursements		0	0	0	(23,000)
Other income		0	55,000	0	118,000
Mortgage and other financing income		34,000	97,000	102,000	290,000
Total revenue		2,324,000	152,000	6,447,000	385,000
Property operating expense		233,000	83,000	419,000	224,000
Other expense			221,000	5,000	533,000
Total investment expenses		233,000	304,000	424,000	757,000
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		2,091,000	(152,000)	6,023,000	(372,000)
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Gain on sale of real estate	$ 0
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue		0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements		0	0	0	0
Other income		643,000	662,000	1,955,000	1,794,000
Mortgage and other financing income		0	0	0	0
Total revenue		643,000	662,000	1,955,000	1,794,000
Property operating expense		165,000	0	445,000	0
Other expense			0	0	0
Total investment expenses		165,000	0	445,000	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items		$ 478,000	$ 662,000	$ 1,510,000	$ 1,794,000