Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 140,905	$ 126,561	$ 410,848	$ 360,757
Other income	365	522	1,641	2,518
Mortgage and other financing income	35,139	24,314	121,755	65,016
Total revenue	176,409	151,397	534,244	428,291
Property operating expense	6,968	6,340	21,866	18,762
Other expense	118	0	118	0
Total investment expenses	7,086	6,340	21,984	18,762
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	169,323	145,057	512,260	409,529
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(11,424)	(12,070)	(36,724)	(33,787)
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0	0	(2,090)	0
Costs associated with loan refinancing	0	(1,477)	(31,958)	(1,491)
Gain from early Extinguishment of Debt	0	0	0	977
Interest expense, net	(33,576)	(34,194)	(101,992)	(97,853)
Transaction costs	(1,101)	(113)	(2,115)	(388)
Asset Impairment Charges	0	0	(16,548)	(10,195)
Depreciation and amortization	(38,623)	(34,694)	(113,889)	(95,919)
Equity in income (loss) from joint ventures	20	35	(17)	86
Gain on sale of real estate	2,215	997	2,688	28,462
gain on sale of investment in direct financing leases	5,514	0	5,514	0
Income tax expense	(515)	(587)	(2,177)	(2,016)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	91,833	62,954	212,952	197,405
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,036)	(5,951)	(18,108)	(17,855)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	85,797	57,003	194,844	179,550
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	75,552	70,621	225,040	208,864
Other income	143	2	147	614
Mortgage and other financing income	612	1,151	3,514	3,426
Total revenue	76,307	71,774	228,701	212,904
Property operating expense	5,917	5,680	17,962	17,060
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	5,917	5,680	17,962	17,060
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	70,390	66,094	210,739	195,844
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Gain on sale of real estate			900
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	36,215	32,171	104,090	78,854
Other income	0	0	62	0
Mortgage and other financing income	29,678	14,140	100,923	35,150
Total revenue	65,893	46,311	205,075	114,004
Property operating expense	34	29	91	86
Other expense	118		118
Total investment expenses	152	29	209	86
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	65,741	46,282	204,866	113,918
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	26,851	21,479	74,885	66,169
Other income	0	0	0	1
Mortgage and other financing income	4,849	9,023	17,318	26,440
Total revenue	31,700	30,502	92,203	92,610
Property operating expense	407	119	1,880	151
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	407	119	1,880	151
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	31,293	30,383	90,323	92,459
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,287	2,290	6,833	6,870
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	2,287	2,290	6,833	6,870
Property operating expense	449	327	1,452	1,020
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	449	327	1,452	1,020
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,838	1,963	5,381	5,850
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	222	520	1,432	1,903
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	222	520	1,432	1,903
Property operating expense	161	185	481	445
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	161	185	481	445
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 61	$ 335	$ 951	$ 1,458