Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income	$ 8,091	$ 182	$ 9,802	$ 8,171
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,516	8,104	25,435	24,913
Revenues	139,647	63,877	376,774	321,249
Property operating expense	13,815	13,759	43,806	42,181
Other expense	7,851	2,680	13,428	15,012
Total investment expenses	21,666	16,439	57,234	57,193
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	117,981	47,438	319,540	264,056
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(11,154)	(10,034)	(33,866)	(31,454)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	(4,741)	0	(4,982)	(820)
Interest expense, net	(36,584)	(41,744)	(114,090)	(114,837)
Transaction costs	(2,132)	(2,776)	(3,342)	(4,622)
Financing Receivable, Credit Loss, Expense (Reversal)	14,096	(5,707)	19,677	(10,383)
Asset Impairment Charges	(2,711)	(11,561)	(2,711)	(62,825)
Depreciation and amortization	(42,612)	(42,059)	(123,476)	(128,319)
Equity in loss from joint ventures	(418)	(1,044)	(3,000)	(3,188)
Impairment charges on joint ventures	0	0	0	(3,247)
Gain on sale of real estate	787	0	1,499	242
Income tax benefit (expense)	(395)	(18,417)	(1,200)	(16,354)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	32,117	(85,904)	54,049	(111,751)
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,033)	(6,034)	(18,100)	(18,102)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	26,084	(91,938)	35,949	(129,853)
Operating Lease, Lease Income	123,040	55,591	341,537	288,165
Experiential Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income	8,052	14	9,442	7,227
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,283	7,761	24,663	23,913
Revenues	129,924	48,045	347,529	274,274
Property operating expense	13,572	13,011	42,985	39,854
Other expense	7,851	2,680	13,428	15,012
Total investment expenses	21,423	15,691	56,413	54,866
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	108,501	32,354	291,116	219,408
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Gain on sale of real estate			1,500
Operating Lease, Lease Income	113,589	40,270	313,424	243,134
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income	0	13	0	13
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	233	343	772	1,000
Revenues	9,684	15,677	28,885	46,044
Property operating expense	16	550	113	1,719
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	16	550	113	1,719
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	9,668	15,127	28,772	44,325
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Operating Lease, Lease Income	9,451	15,321	28,113	45,031
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income	39	155	360	931
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	39	155	360	931
Property operating expense	227	198	708	608
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	227	198	708	608
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	(188)	(43)	(348)	323
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Operating Lease, Lease Income	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0