Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 122,827		$ 102,282	$ 349,333	$ 292,115
Tenant reimbursements	3,734		3,821	11,424	11,577
Other income	522		2,476	2,518	5,812
Mortgage and other financing income	24,314		17,031	65,016	52,907
Total revenue	151,397		125,610	428,291	362,411
Property operating expense	6,340		5,626	18,762	16,687
Other expense	0		0	0	5
Total investment expenses	6,340		5,626	18,762	16,692
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	145,057		119,984	409,529	345,719
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(12,070)		(9,091)	(33,787)	(27,309)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(1,477)		(14)	(1,491)	(905)
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt	0		0	977	0
Interest expense, net	(34,194)		(24,265)	(97,853)	(70,310)
Transaction costs	(113)		(2,947)	(388)	(4,881)
Asset Impairment Charges	0	$ (10,200)	0	(10,195)	0
Depreciation and amortization	(34,694)		(27,601)	(95,919)	(79,222)
Equity in income from joint ventures	35		203	86	501
Gain on sale of real estate	997		1,615	28,462	3,885
Income tax expense	(587)		(358)	(2,016)	(637)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	62,954		57,526	197,405	166,841
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,951)		(5,951)	(17,855)	(17,855)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	57,003		51,575	179,550	148,986
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	66,888		64,134	197,441	185,530
Tenant reimbursements	3,733		3,816	11,423	11,570
Other income	2		8	614	222
Mortgage and other financing income	1,151		1,294	3,426	4,927
Total revenue	71,774		69,252	212,904	202,249
Property operating expense	5,680		5,228	17,060	15,815
Other expense					0
Total investment expenses	5,680		5,228	17,060	15,815
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	66,094		64,024	195,844	186,434
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	21,478		19,900	66,168	54,797
Tenant reimbursements	1		5	1	7
Other income	0		0	1	0
Mortgage and other financing income	9,023		7,319	26,440	25,228
Total revenue	30,502		27,224	92,610	80,032
Property operating expense	119		0	151	0
Other expense					0
Total investment expenses	119		0	151	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	30,383		27,224	92,459	80,032
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	32,171		15,958	78,854	45,443
Tenant reimbursements	0		0	0	0
Other income	0		1,825	0	3,635
Mortgage and other financing income	14,140		8,384	35,150	22,650
Total revenue	46,311		26,167	114,004	71,728
Property operating expense	29		0	86	8
Other expense					0
Total investment expenses	29		0	86	8
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	46,282		26,167	113,918	71,720
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,290		2,290	6,870	6,345
Tenant reimbursements	0		0	0	0
Other income	0		0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0		34	0	102
Total revenue	2,290		2,324	6,870	6,447
Property operating expense	327		233	1,020	419
Other expense					5
Total investment expenses	327		233	1,020	424
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,963		2,091	5,850	6,023
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0		0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0		0	0	0
Other income	520		643	1,903	1,955
Mortgage and other financing income	0		0	0	0
Total revenue	520		643	1,903	1,955
Property operating expense	185		165	445	445
Other expense					0
Total investment expenses	185		165	445	445
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 335		$ 478	$ 1,458	$ 1,510