EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 35,083	$ 15,058	$ 217,770
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,240	586
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO RAYONIER INC.	$ 33,843	$ 14,472
Shares used for determining basic earnings per common share (in shares)	123,587,901	122,556,239
Dilutive effect of:
Stock options (in shares)	106,690	53,526
Performance and restricted shares (in shares)	228,275	35,124
Shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share (in shares)	123,922,866	122,644,889
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.12
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.12