Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 119,469	$ 96,055	$ 226,506	$ 189,833
Tenant reimbursements	3,941	3,891	7,690	7,756
Other income	1,304	2,126	1,996	3,336
Mortgage and other financing income	23,068	15,961	40,702	35,876
Total revenue	147,782	118,033	276,894	236,801
Property operating expense	6,072	5,580	12,422	11,061
Other expense	0	0	0	5
Total investment expenses	6,072	5,580	12,422	11,066
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	141,710	112,453	264,472	225,735
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(10,660)	(9,000)	(21,717)	(18,218)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(9)	(339)	(14)	(891)
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt	977	0	977	0
Interest expense, net	(32,967)	(22,756)	(63,659)	(46,045)
Transaction costs	(218)	(1,490)	(275)	(1,934)
Asset Impairment Charges	(10,195)	0	(10,195)	0
Depreciation and amortization	(33,148)	(25,666)	(61,225)	(51,621)
Equity in income from joint ventures	59	86	51	298
Gain on sale of real estate	25,461	2,270	27,465	2,270
Income tax expense	(475)	(423)	(1,429)	(279)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	80,535	55,135	134,451	109,315
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,952)	(11,904)	(11,904)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	74,583	49,183	122,547	97,411
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	65,462	61,258	130,553	121,396
Tenant reimbursements	3,941	3,891	7,690	7,754
Other income	606	210	612	214
Mortgage and other financing income	1,096	1,481	2,275	3,633
Total revenue	71,105	66,840	141,130	132,997
Property operating expense	5,545	5,335	11,380	10,587
Other expense				0
Total investment expenses	5,545	5,335	11,380	10,587
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	65,560	61,505	129,750	122,410
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
Gain on sale of real estate			19,400
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	22,333	17,717	44,690	34,897
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	2
Other income	1	0	1	0
Mortgage and other financing income	8,868	7,178	17,417	17,909
Total revenue	31,202	24,895	62,108	52,808
Property operating expense	32	0	32	0
Other expense				0
Total investment expenses	32	0	32	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	31,170	24,895	62,076	52,808
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	29,384	14,789	46,683	29,485
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	1,321	0	1,810
Mortgage and other financing income	13,104	7,268	21,010	14,266
Total revenue	42,488	23,378	67,693	45,561
Property operating expense	29	0	57	8
Other expense				0
Total investment expenses	29	0	57	8
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	42,459	23,378	67,636	45,553
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,290	2,291	4,580	4,055
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	34	0	68
Total revenue	2,290	2,325	4,580	4,123
Property operating expense	353	103	693	186
Other expense				5
Total investment expenses	353	103	693	191
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,937	2,222	3,887	3,932
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	697	595	1,383	1,312
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	697	595	1,383	1,312
Property operating expense	113	142	260	280
Other expense				0
Total investment expenses	113	142	260	280
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 584	$ 453	$ 1,123	$ 1,032