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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations									$ 262,968	$ 224,982	$ 194,333
Less: preferred dividend requirements and redemption costs									$ (28,750)	$ (23,806)	(23,806)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders											$ 170,527
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic									71,191	63,381	58,138
Income from continuing operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 3.29	$ 3.17	$ 2.93
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders											$ 199
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties									$ 234,218	$ 201,176	$ 170,726
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 0.82	$ 0.81	$ 0.77	$ 0.77	$ 3.29	$ 3.17	$ 2.94
Share options, shares									63	93	190
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 234,218	$ 201,176	$ 170,527
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted									71,254	63,474	58,328
Income from continuing operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 3.29	$ 3.17	$ 2.92
Income (loss) from discontinuing operation available to common stockholders, diluted											$ 199
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 234,218	$ 201,176	$ 170,726
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 0.82	$ 0.81	$ 0.77	$ 0.77	$ 3.29	$ 3.17	$ 2.93