Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 157,330	$ 137,019	$ 308,053	$ 269,943
Other income	5,726	646	6,070	1,276
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	12,642	65,202	26,117	86,616
Revenues	175,698	202,867	340,240	357,835
Property operating expense	14,771	7,334	30,564	14,898
Other expense	8,091	0	8,091	0
Total investment expenses	22,862	7,334	38,655	14,898
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	152,836	195,533	301,585	342,937
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(12,230)	(12,976)	(24,360)	(25,300)
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0	(2,090)	0	(2,090)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	0	(15)	0	(31,958)
Interest expense, net	(36,278)	(34,079)	(70,104)	(68,416)
Transaction costs	(6,923)	(405)	(12,046)	(1,014)
Asset Impairment Charges	0	(16,548)	0	(16,548)
Depreciation and amortization	(42,355)	(37,582)	(82,098)	(75,266)
Equity in income from joint ventures	470	(88)	959	(37)
Gain on sale of real estate	9,774	473	16,102	473
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,300	(642)	1,905	(1,662)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	66,594	91,581	131,943	121,119
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,034)	(6,036)	(12,068)	(12,072)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	60,560	85,545	119,875	109,047
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	83,718	74,640	164,231	149,488
Other income	1,575	4	1,585	4
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	107	2,100	163	2,902
Revenues	85,400	76,744	165,979	152,394
Property operating expense	9,871	5,816	20,496	12,045
Other expense	1,029		1,029
Total investment expenses	10,900	5,816	21,525	12,045
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	74,500	70,928	144,454	140,349
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	42,886	34,443	83,415	67,875
Other income	3,848	0	3,909	62
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,654	57,540	17,966	71,245
Revenues	55,388	91,983	105,290	139,182
Property operating expense	2,729	24	5,463	57
Other expense	7,062		7,062
Total investment expenses	9,791	24	12,525	57
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	45,597	91,959	92,765	139,125
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	28,059	25,649	54,766	48,034
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	3,881	5,562	7,988	12,469
Revenues	31,940	31,211	62,754	60,503
Property operating expense	1,056	644	2,168	1,473
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	1,056	644	2,168	1,473
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	30,884	30,567	60,586	59,030
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,667	2,287	5,641	4,546
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	2,667	2,287	5,641	4,546
Property operating expense	888	689	1,977	1,003
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	888	689	1,977	1,003
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,779	1,598	3,664	3,543
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	303	642	576	1,210
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	303	642	576	1,210
Property operating expense	227	161	460	320
Other expense	0		0
Total investment expenses	227	161	460	320
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 76	$ 481	$ 116	$ 890