Fair Value Measurements Fair Values Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Carrying Value	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Carrying Value	Jun. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 2	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 2	Jun. 30, 2012 Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in special-purpose entity	$ 2,690	$ 2,690	$ 2,690	$ 2,690
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques					The fair value of the investment in the special-purpose entity is determined by summing the discounted value of future principal and interest payments that Rayonier will receive from the special-purpose entity. The interest rate of a similar instrument is used to determine the discounted value of the payments.

Carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE), where the reporting entity is not the VIE's primary beneficiary.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph a

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5728-111685

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant