Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations									$ 224,982	$ 194,333	$ 175,752
Less: preferred dividend requirements and redemption costs									$ (23,806)	(23,806)	(23,807)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders										$ 170,527	$ 151,945
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic									63,381	58,138	54,244
Income from continuing operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 3.17	$ 2.93	$ 2.80
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									$ 0	$ 199	$ 3,881
Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders										$ 199	$ 3,881
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.07
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties									$ 201,176	$ 170,726	$ 155,826
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.81	$ 0.77	$ 0.77	$ 0.78	$ 0.76	$ 0.75	$ 0.65	$ 3.17	$ 2.94	$ 2.87
Share options, shares									93	190	200
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 201,176	$ 170,527	$ 151,945
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted									63,474	58,328	54,444
Income from continuing operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 3.17	$ 2.92	$ 2.79
Income (loss) from discontinuing operation available to common stockholders, diluted										$ 199	$ 3,881
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.07
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 201,176	$ 170,726	$ 155,826
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.81	$ 0.77	$ 0.77	$ 0.78	$ 0.76	$ 0.75	$ 0.64	$ 3.17	$ 2.93	$ 2.86