Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade, net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment, accumulated depreciation (in dollars) Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Assets Acquired Assets Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Accounts Receivable Acquired Accounts receivable Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired Property, plant and equipment, net Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Inventory Acquired Long-term parts inventory, net Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Assets Acquired Other assets Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed Liabilities Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed Long-term debt, including current installments Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Employee Benefit Liabilities Assumed Accrued pension liability Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Assumed Other current liabilities Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Payables Assumed Accounts payable Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Shares Issued Issue of shares to Directors, common stock (in shares) Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed) Resulting value of equity from the exchange transaction Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Unrealized derivative (gain) loss Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense Accretion of asset retirement obligation Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Asset retirement obligation Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Cash Acquired from Acquisition Cash received in exchange transaction with Intrepid Mining LLC Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued employee compensation and benefits Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Refundable income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Other Receivables Other receivables Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 75,110,875 and 75,037,124 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK Capital contribution, net of expenses Freight Costs Freight costs Mineral Extraction Processing and Marketing Costs Cost of goods sold Other Cost of Operating Revenue Other Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Debt Disclosure [Text Block] DEBT Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Current deferred tax asset Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Gross Profit Gross Margin Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Income Taxes Receivable, Current Refundable income taxes Inventory, Net Inventory, net Liabilities Total Liabilities Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Long-term Investments Long-term investments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Operating Income (Loss) Operating Income Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] BASIS OF PRESENTATION Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Pension liability adjustment Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on investments held for sale Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense) Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Received Non-cash addition of leasehold improvements provided by lessor Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] FUTURE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities Proceeds from insurance reimbursements Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Issuance of common stock, net of expenses Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from long-term debt Proceeds from Sale of Restricted Investments Proceeds from liquidation of bond sinking fund Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of stock options Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $66,615 and $41,787, respectively Payments to Acquire Investments Purchases of investments Payments to Acquire Mining Assets Additions to mineral properties and development costs Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to property, plant, and equipment Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments on long-term debt Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collections of Investments Proceeds from investments Revenue Mineral Sales Sales Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORY AND LONG-TERM PARTS INVENTORY Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling and administrative Short-term Investments Short-term investments Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Stock Issued Common stock issued to Directors Assets, Current Total current assets Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Common Stock Total Assets Total Assets Investment Income, Interest Interest income Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Non-current deferred tax asset Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] COMPENSATION PLANS Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Statement Statement [Line Items] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Other Cost and Expense, Operating Other Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities Insured Event, Gain (Loss) Insurance settlements from property and business losses Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income Before Income Taxes Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax Pension liability adjustment, tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income Tax (Expense) Benefit Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Equity Component [Domain] Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Sale of common shares of stock at $32.00 per share in initial public offering, net of underwriting fees of $66.2 million and offering costs of $5.5 million Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Sale of common shares of stock (in shares) Sale of shares in IPO, common stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Comprehensive Income Continued supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Mineral Properties, Accumulated Depletion Mineral properties and development costs, accumulated depletion (in dollars) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Excess income tax benefit from stock based compensation Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Earnings Per Share [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income Net income (loss) Net income Nontrade Receivables, Current Other receivables Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Stockholders' Equity Balance Balance Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies Intrepid Mining LLC (Predecessor) Intrepid Potash, Inc. Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Other Nature of Operations [Text Block] COMPANY BACKGROUND Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Related parties Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Trade Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Employee-related Liabilities, Current Accrued employee compensation and benefits Document and Entity Information PROPERTY INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS Property Insurance Settlements [Text Block] Insurance settlements received in excess of property losses. ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Accounts receivable: Receivables, Net, Current [Abstract] Prepaid expenses and other current assets Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and which will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer and amounts of other current assets. Also includes aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of other current assets not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Other current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Accounts payable: Accounts Payable, Current [Abstract] Deferred insurance proceeds Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of insurance settlement payments received but pending the insurer's final agreement to the related claims. Deferred Insurance Proceeds, Noncurrent Warehousing and handling costs Warehousing and handling costs Aggregate costs incurred in warehousing and handling. Other Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense, including realized and unrealized derivative gains and losses Interest Expense, Including Gain (Loss) on Derivative The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period, including realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives during the period. Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Comprehensive income, net of tax: Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Formation distribution paid to Intrepid Mining LLC as part of the formation transaction Formation Distribution Paid to Predecessor as Part of Formation Transaction Adjustment to additional paid in capital resulting from the formation distribution paid to predecessor as part of formation transaction. Stock Issued During Period, Underwriting Fees Sale of common shares of stock, underwriting fees Aggregate amount of underwriting fees for common stock issued during the period. Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Net cash paid (received) during the period for: Cash Paid During The Period [Abstract] Interest Interest, Including Settlements on Derivatives Aggregate amount of cash paid during the current period for interest, including settlements on derivatives. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Distribution of oil and gas assets Distribution of Oil and Gas Assets Total distributions of oil and gas assets. Repayment of Members' loans Repayment of Members Loans Total amount of members' loans repaid. Abnormal Production Costs Costs associated with abnormal production Costs associated with abnormal production. Proceeds from Capital Contribution, Net Capital contribution, net of expenses The net cash inflow (outflow) from capital contributions. Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Items not affecting cash: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Payments of Members Capital Distributions Members' capital distributions The net cash inflow (outflow) related to members' capital distributions. Payments to Predecessor for Exchange of Assets and Liabilities and Formation Distribution Payments to Intrepid Mining LLC for exchange of assets and liabilities and formation distribution The net cash inflow (outflow) from payments to predecessor for exchange of assets and liabilities and formation distribution. Vesting of Restricted Common Stock, Net of Restricted Common Stock used to Fund Employee Income Tax Withholding due upon Vesting, Value Vesting of restricted common stock, net of restricted common stock used to fund employee income tax withholding due upon vesting Value of vesting of restricted common stock, net of restricted common stock used to fund employee income tax withholding due upon vesting. Vesting of Restricted Common Stock, Net of Restricted Common Stock used to Fund Employee Income Tax Withholding due upon Vesting, Shares Vesting of restricted common stock, net of restricted common stock used to fund employee income tax withholding due upon vesting (in shares) Restricted common stock shares vested, net of restricted common stock shares used to fund employee income tax withholding due upon vesting. Equity Contribution from Predecessor Resulting from Execution of Exchange Agreement, Net of Cash and Debt Net equity contribution from Intrepid Mining LLC resulting from the execution of the exchange agreement; net of $9.4 million of cash and $18.9 million of debt retained by Intrepid Mining LLC Equity contribution from predecessor resulting from execution of exchange agreement, net of cash and debt. Equity Contribution from Predecessor Resulting from Execution of Exchange Agreement, Shares Net equity contribution from Intrepid Mining LLC resulting from the execution of the exchange agreement (in shares) Equity contribution shares from predecessor resulting from execution of exchange agreement. Exchange of shares of common stock by predecessor for assets and liabilities, other than cash and debt (in shares) Cash Distributed to Predecessor for Net Assets and Liabilities Contributed Pursuant to Exchange Agreement Cash distributed to Intrepid Mining LLC in exchange, in part, for the net assets and liabilities contributed pursuant to the exchange agreement Cash distributed to predecessor for net assets and liabilities contributed pursuant to exchange agreement. Company and Initial Public Offering [Text Block] THE COMPANY AND THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF INTREPID POTASH, INC. Disclosure of the company's formation and its initial public offering. Property, Plant, Equipment and Mineral Properties Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND MINERAL PROPERTIES Disclosure of long-lived, physical assets along with mineral properties and development costs that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. Capital Contribution Capital contributions Total capital contributions made. Members Capital Distribution Distributions Total of members' capital distributions. Other non-current liabilities The amount of noncurrent liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition that are not presented as a separate disclosure or otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Noncurrent Assumed The amount of asset retirement obligation liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Asset retirement obligation Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Asset Retirement Obligation Assumed Accrued liabilities The amount of accrued liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Accrued Liabilities Assumed Mineral properties and development costs, net The amount of mineral properties and development costs that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Mineral Properties and Development Costs Net Acquired Prepaid expenses and other current assets The amount of prepaid expenses and other current assets that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Acquired Sale of common shares of stock, offering costs Aggregate amount of offering costs for common stock issued during the period. Stock Issued During Period Offering Costs Less: Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Earnings Per Share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Payments to Fund Employee Tax Withholding Due Upon Vesting of Restricted Common Stock Employee tax withholding paid for restricted stock upon vesting Payments to fund employee tax withholding due upon vesting of restricted common stock. Mineral Properties and Development Costs, Net Mineral properties and development costs, net of accumulated depletion of $8,431 and $7,174, respectively Mineral properties and development costs which include acquisition costs, the cost of drilling wells, and the cost of other development work, net of depletion. Long-term Parts Inventory, Noncurrent Long-term parts inventory, net Parts inventory, including critical spares, that is not expected to be utilized within a period of one year. Adjustment to additional paid in capital due to the deferred tax asset resulting from tax basis of assets transferred to successor from predecessor plus step-up in tax basis of assets from the formation transactions. Deferred Tax Assets Resulting from Tax Basis Assets Transferred to Sucessor from Predecessor Plus Stepup in Tax Basis of Assets from the Formation Transaction Deferred tax asset resulting from the tax basis of assets transferred to Intrepid Potash, Inc. from Intrepid Mining LLC plus step-up in tax basis of assets from the formation transactions Reclass Of Proceeds From Insurance Settlements To Investing Activities Insurance reimbursements Reclass of cash inflows related to amounts received by the insured under the terms of an insurance contract settlement. This element pertains only to insurance proceeds related to investments, for example fixed assets. It excludes insurance settlements classified as operating cash flows. Formation Distribution Paid To Predecessor In Connection With Exercise Of Underwriters Over Allotment Option Formation distribution paid to Intrepid Mining LLC in connection with exercise of underwriters' over-allotment option Adjustment to additional paid in capital resulting from the formation distribution paid to predecessor in connection with the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. Price of common stock issued during period per share Price of common stock per share issued for the period. Price per share of sale of common shares of stock (in dollars per share) Cash Retained by Predecessor Upon the Execution of the Exchange Agreement Cash retained by predecessor upon the execution of the exchange agreement. Cash retained by Intrepid Mining LLC upon the execution of the exchange agreement Debt Retained by Predecessor upon the Execution of the Exchange Agreement Debt retained by predecessor upon the execution of the exchange agreement. Debt retained by Intrepid Mining LLC upon the execution of the exchange agreement Cash Distributed To Predecessor For Net Assets And Liabilities Contributed Per Exchange Agreement Cash distributed to predecessor for net assets and liabilities contributed per exchange agreement. Cash distributed from the net proceeds of the IPO in exchange, in part, for the net assets and liabilities contributed pursuant to the exchange agreement Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion The aggregate net amount of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion recognized during an accounting period. As a noncash item, the net amount is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by (used in) operations using the indirect method. Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion COMPANY BACKGROUND THE COMPANY AND THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF INTREPID POTASH, INC. BASIS OF PRESENTATION SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES EARNINGS PER SHARE INVENTORY AND LONG-TERM PARTS INVENTORY PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND MINERAL PROPERTIES DEBT ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION COMPENSATION PLANS INCOME TAXES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FUTURE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROPERTY INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Related Parties [Text Block] This element may be used for the entire related party transactions disclosure along with membership interests as a single block of text. Disclosure may include: the nature of the relationship(s), a description of the transactions, the amount of the transactions, the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms of the transaction from the previous period, expiration date, terms and manner of settlement per the agreement with the related party, and amounts due to or from related parties. If the entity and one or more other entities are under common ownership or management control and this control affects the operating results or financial position, disclosure includes the nature of the control relationship even if there are no transactions between the entities. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates. RELATED PARTIES RELATED PARTIES CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND INVESTMENTS CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND INVESTMENTS Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments Disclosure [Text Block] The entire cash and cash equivalents and investment footnote disclosure, which may include the types of deposits and money market instruments, applicable carrying amounts, compensating balance arrangements and short-term and long-term investments. Cash and equivalents include: (1) currency on hand (2) demand deposits with banks or financial institutions (3) other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits (4) short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments maturing within three months from the date of acquisition qualify. Investments include certain all debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Debt securities include among other items, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit.