Document And Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Alta Mesa Holdings, LP
Entity Central Index Key	0001518403
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | shares	0
Entity Public Float | $	$ 0
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No