EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 40,624	$ 19,181	$ 167,261	$ 34,501	$ 43,941
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,269	(488)	3,613	(1,379)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO RAYONIER INC.	$ 39,355	$ 19,669	$ 163,648	$ 35,880
Shares used for determining basic earnings per common share (in shares)	122,597,927	125,143,706	122,574,094	126,125,802
Dilutive effect of:
Stock options (in shares)	113,849	91,495	88,594	129,906
Performance and restricted shares (in shares)	170,857	31,051	120,212	37,064
Assumed conversion of senior exchangeable notes (in shares)	0	39,720	0	477,931
Shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share (in shares)	122,882,633	125,305,972	122,782,900	126,770,703
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.16	$ 1.34	$ 0.28
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.16	$ 1.33	$ 0.28