Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Aug. 01, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Entity File Number	001-34146
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0001441236
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-3594554
Entity Address, Address Line One	601 West Riverside,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1100
Entity Address, City or Town	Spokane,
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	99201
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	CLW
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,741,489
Local Phone Number	344-5900
City Area Code	509