Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 161,262	$ 140,905	$ 469,315	$ 410,848
Other income	11,464	365	17,534	1,641
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	12,136	35,139	38,253	121,755
Revenues	184,862	176,409	525,102	534,244
Property operating expense	14,663	6,968	45,227	21,866
Other expense	11,403	118	19,494	118
Total investment expenses	26,066	7,086	64,721	21,984
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	158,796	169,323	460,381	512,260
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(11,600)	(11,424)	(35,540)	(36,724)
Severance Costs	(1,521)	0	(1,941)	0
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0	0	0	(2,090)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(38,407)	0	(38,407)	(31,958)
Interest expense, net	(36,640)	(33,576)	(106,744)	(101,992)
Transaction costs	(5,959)	(1,101)	(18,005)	(2,115)
Asset Impairment Charges	0	0	0	(16,548)
Depreciation and amortization	(45,134)	(38,623)	(127,232)	(113,889)
Equity in income from joint ventures	(435)	20	524	(17)
Gain on sale of real estate	14,303	2,215	30,405	2,688
gain on sale of investment in direct financing lease	0	5,514	0	5,514
Income tax benefit (expense)	600	(515)	2,505	(2,177)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	34,003	91,833	165,946	212,952
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,034)	(6,036)	(18,102)	(18,108)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	27,969	85,797	147,844	194,844
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	87,720	75,552	251,951	225,040
Other income	1,202	143	2,787	147
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	382	612	545	3,514
Revenues	89,304	76,307	255,283	228,701
Property operating expense	9,497	5,917	29,993	17,962
Other expense	864	0	1,893	0
Total investment expenses	10,361	5,917	31,886	17,962
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	78,943	70,390	223,397	210,739
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	42,784	36,215	126,199	104,090
Other income	9,988	0	13,897	62
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	6,238	29,678	24,204	100,923
Revenues	59,010	65,893	164,300	205,075
Property operating expense	2,843	34	8,306	91
Other expense	10,539	118	17,601	118
Total investment expenses	13,382	152	25,907	209
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	45,628	65,741	138,393	204,866
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	27,643	26,851	82,409	74,885
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	5,516	4,849	13,504	17,318
Revenues	33,159	31,700	95,913	92,203
Property operating expense	1,107	407	3,275	1,880
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	1,107	407	3,275	1,880
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	32,052	31,293	92,638	90,323
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	3,115	2,287	8,756	6,833
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	3,115	2,287	8,756	6,833
Property operating expense	997	449	2,974	1,452
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	997	449	2,974	1,452
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	2,118	1,838	5,782	5,381
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	274	222	850	1,432
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	274	222	850	1,432
Property operating expense	219	161	679	481
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	219	161	679	481
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 55	$ 61	$ 171	$ 951