Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Oct. 26, 2016
Feb. 22, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]        
Entity Registrant Name Intrepid Potash, Inc.      
Entity Central Index Key 0001421461      
Document Type 10-Q      
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2016      
Amendment Flag false      
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31      
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No      
Entity Voluntary Filers No      
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes      
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   76,595,609    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016      
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3      
Restricted Stock        
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 755,611   459,663