Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,964	$ 2,954
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes	35,580	33,583
Asset retirement obligation	65,994	61,565
Net operating loss carry forward	155,154	148,913
Tax credit carry forwards	3,765	3,724
Charitable contributions carry forward	592	469
Gross deferred tax assets	264,049	251,208
Less: valuation allowance	(3,424)	(3,755)
Net deferred tax assets	260,625	247,453
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(48,271)	(36,967)
Intangibles	(308,266)	(291,926)
Investment in partnerships	(1,244)	(1,065)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(357,781)	(329,958)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(97,156)	(82,505)
Classification in the consolidated balance sheets:
Current deferred tax assets	10,817	9,812
Current deferred tax liabilities
Noncurrent deferred tax assets
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	(107,973)	(92,317)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(97,156)	(82,505)
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,964	2,954
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes	35,580	33,583
Asset retirement obligation	65,994	61,565
Net operating loss carry forward	105,918	99,811
Tax credit carry forwards	18,537	18,496
Charitable contributions carry forward	592	469
Gross deferred tax assets	229,585	216,878
Less: valuation allowance	(2,851)	(3,205)
Net deferred tax assets	226,734	213,673
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(48,271)	(36,967)
Intangibles	(307,630)	(291,291)
Investment in partnerships	(1,244)	(1,065)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(357,145)	(329,323)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(130,411)	(115,650)
Classification in the consolidated balance sheets:
Current deferred tax assets	10,817	9,812
Current deferred tax liabilities
Noncurrent deferred tax assets
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	(141,228)	(125,462)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (130,411)	$ (115,650)