Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total revenue	$ 166,487	$ 176,409	$ 202,867	$ 154,968	$ 147,700	$ 151,397	$ 147,782	$ 129,112	$ 700,731	$ 575,991	$ 493,242
Net income	54,031	91,833	91,581	29,538	65,563	62,954	80,535	53,916	266,983	262,968	224,982
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	$ 47,997	$ 85,797	$ 85,545	$ 23,502	$ 54,668	$ 57,003	$ 74,583	$ 47,964	$ 266,983	$ 262,968	$ 224,982
Basic net income per common share	$ 0.65	$ 1.15	$ 1.15	$ 0.32	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 3.27	$ 3.29	$ 3.17
Diluted net income per common share	$ 0.65	$ 1.15	$ 1.15	$ 0.32	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 3.27	$ 3.29	$ 3.17