Quarterly Results for 2018 and 2017 (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$ 166,146	$ 200,890	$ 245,906	$ 203,196	$ 239,722	$ 184,419	$ 200,964	$ 194,491	$ 816,138	$ 819,596	$ 815,915
Cost of sales	(139,092)	(143,261)	(184,418)	(138,488)	(149,832)	(136,983)	(144,610)	(136,828)	(605,259)	(568,253)	(526,439)
Net Income	4,647	30,639	39,338	42,706	66,920	28,803	30,773	35,083	117,330	161,579	217,770
Net Income attributable to Rayonier Inc.	$ 1,987	$ 23,432	$ 36,258	$ 40,539	$ 64,150	$ 24,688	$ 26,161	$ 33,843	$ 102,216	$ 148,842	$ 211,972
Basic EPS attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ 0.28	$ 0.31	$ 0.50	$ 0.19	$ 0.20	$ 0.27	$ 0.79	$ 1.17	$ 1.73
Diluted EPS attributable to Rayonier Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ 0.28	$ 0.31	$ 0.50	$ 0.19	$ 0.20	$ 0.27	$ 0.79	$ 1.16	$ 1.73