Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) T in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014 USD ($) company shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) T	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rayonier Advanced Materials debt			$ 1,065,472	$ 833,879
Restricted cash received (paid)			48,184	16,836	$ (62,256)
Payments of dividends		$ 63,200	$ 122,845	$ 124,936	$ 257,517
Annual number of tons of hardwood that can be provided to former subsidiary | T			120
Performance Fibers business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of post-spin companies | company	2
Cash distribution from former subsidiary	$ 906,200
Restricted cash received (paid)	(75,000)
Performance Fibers business | Senior Notes
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rayonier Advanced Materials debt	550,000
Performance Fibers business | Medium-term Notes
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rayonier Advanced Materials debt	325,000
Performance Fibers business | Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rayonier Advanced Materials debt	$ 75,000
Performance Fibers business | Common Stock
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Rayonier Advanced Materials shares for every three Rayonier shares | shares	1
Number of Rayonier shares for issuance of one Rayonier Advanced Materials share | shares	3