Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 137,019	$ 123,410	$ 269,943	$ 234,196
Other income	646	1,304	1,276	1,996
Mortgage and other financing income	65,202	23,068	86,616	40,702
Total revenue	202,867	147,782	357,835	276,894
Property operating expense	7,334	6,072	14,898	12,422
Total investment expenses	7,334	6,072	14,898	12,422
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	195,533	141,710	342,937	264,472
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(12,976)	(10,660)	(25,300)	(21,717)
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	(2,090)	0	(2,090)	0
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(15)	(9)	(31,958)	(14)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	977	0	977
Interest expense, net	(34,079)	(32,967)	(68,416)	(63,659)
Transaction costs	(405)	(218)	(1,014)	(275)
Asset Impairment Charges	(16,548)	(10,195)	(16,548)	(10,195)
Depreciation and amortization	(37,582)	(33,148)	(75,266)	(61,225)
Equity in (loss) income from joint ventures	(88)	59	(37)	51
Gain on sale of real estate	473	25,461	473	27,465
Income tax expense	(642)	(475)	(1,662)	(1,429)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	91,581	80,535	121,119	134,451
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,036)	(5,952)	(12,072)	(11,904)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	85,545	74,583	109,047	122,547
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	74,640	69,403	149,488	138,243
Other income	4	606	4	612
Mortgage and other financing income	2,100	1,096	2,902	2,275
Total revenue	76,744	71,105	152,394	141,130
Property operating expense	5,816	5,545	12,045	11,380
Total investment expenses	5,816	5,545	12,045	11,380
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	70,928	65,560	140,349	129,750
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Gain on sale of real estate			500
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	34,443	29,384	67,875	46,683
Other income	0	0	62	0
Mortgage and other financing income	57,540	13,104	71,245	21,010
Total revenue	91,983	42,488	139,182	67,693
Property operating expense	24	29	57	57
Total investment expenses	24	29	57	57
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	91,959	42,459	139,125	67,636
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	25,649	22,333	48,034	44,690
Other income	0	1	0	1
Mortgage and other financing income	5,562	8,868	12,469	17,417
Total revenue	31,211	31,202	60,503	62,108
Property operating expense	644	32	1,473	32
Total investment expenses	644	32	1,473	32
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	30,567	31,170	59,030	62,076
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,287	2,290	4,546	4,580
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	2,287	2,290	4,546	4,580
Property operating expense	689	353	1,003	693
Total investment expenses	689	353	1,003	693
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,598	1,937	3,543	3,887
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	642	697	1,210	1,383
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	642	697	1,210	1,383
Property operating expense	161	113	320	260
Total investment expenses	161	113	320	260
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 481	$ 584	$ 890	$ 1,123