SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,575,151		$ 1,755,243		$ 1,755,243
Net income (loss)	18,180		41,343		97,846
Dividends ($0.25 and $2.03 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively)	(31,617)				(256,861)
Contribution to Rayonier Advanced Materials					19,130
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials					(8,226)	[1]
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	546				5,579
Stock-based compensation	805				7,869
Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation	(267)				(791)
Repurchase of common shares	(94)				(1,858)
Net gain (loss) from pension and postretirement plans	781				(24,147)
Noncontrolling interest redemption of shares					(931)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14,323)		17,803		(15,847)
Joint venture cash flow hedges	(946)		1,711		(1,855)
Ending balance	1,548,216				1,575,151
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends per share	$ 0.25		$ 0.49		$ 2.03
Common Shares [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	126,773,097	[2]	126,257,870	[2]	126,257,870	[2]
Beginning balance	702,598		692,100		692,100
Contribution to Rayonier Advanced Materials					(301)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plan (in shares)	32,196	[2]			561,701	[2]
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	546				5,579
Stock-based compensation	805				7,869
Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation	(267)				(791)
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)	(2,984)	[2]			(46,474)	[2]
Repurchase of common shares	(94)				(1,858)
Ending balance (in shares)	126,802,309	[2]			126,773,097	[2]
Ending balance	703,588				702,598
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	790,697		1,015,209		1,015,209
Net income (loss)	17,747				99,337
Dividends ($0.25 and $2.03 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively)	(31,617)				(256,861)
Contribution to Rayonier Advanced Materials					(61,318)
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials					(5,670)	[1]
Ending balance	776,827				790,697
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(4,825)		(46,139)		(46,139)
Contribution to Rayonier Advanced Materials					80,749
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials					(2,556)	[1]
Net gain (loss) from pension and postretirement plans	781				(24,147)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(10,429)				(11,526)
Joint venture cash flow hedges	(615)				(1,206)
Ending balance	(15,088)				(4,825)
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	86,681		94,073		94,073
Net income (loss)	433				(1,491)
Noncontrolling interest redemption of shares					(931)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,894)				(4,321)
Joint venture cash flow hedges	(331)				(649)
Ending balance	$ 82,889				$ 86,681
NORTH CAROLINA
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0

[1] Primarily relates to adjustments made to the Rayonier Advanced Materials contribution as income taxes and pension and postretirement plan assets and obligations were finalized.

[2] The Company’s common shares are registered in North Carolina and have a $0.00 par value.