CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]				us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
Net income (loss)	$ 29,784	$ 67,678	$ 117,330
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	333,366
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	925	1,350	919
Foreign currency translation adjustment	28,272	963	(22,759)
Cash flow hedges	(61,055)	(30,482)	5,029
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates redemption of unit equivalents	(28,403)
Rayonier Limited Partnership
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,537,642	1,654,550	1,692,940
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]				us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
Issuance of units associated with the merger with Pope Resources	172,418
Net income (loss)	29,784	67,678	117,330
Distributions on units	(149,875)	(140,040)	(137,934)
Issuance of shares under the “at-the-market” equity offering, net of commissions and offering costs of $799	32,574
Issuance of units under incentive stock plans	1,589	1,260	8,591
Stock-based compensation	8,026	6,904	6,428
Repurchase of units	(4,757)	(12,680)	(2,984)
Adjustment of Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	(23,864)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	333,366
Conversion of units to common shares	496
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	(925)	(1,350)	(919)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	28,272	963	(22,759)
Cash flow hedges	(61,055)	(30,482)	5,029
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(12,643)	(9,161)	(11,172)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates redemption of unit equivalents	(28,403)
Ending balance	1,862,645	1,537,642	1,654,550	$ 1,692,940
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			0
Ending balance				0
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(31,202)	239	13,417
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	(925)	(1,350)	(919)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	22,928	784	(17,329)
Cash flow hedges	(62,146)	(30,875)	5,781
Ending balance	(71,345)	(31,202)	239	13,417
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(711)
Ending balance				(711)
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	97,661	97,677	99,917
Net income (loss)	(7,828)	8,573	15,114
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	333,366
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,344	179	(5,430)
Cash flow hedges	1,091	393	(752)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(12,643)	(9,161)	(11,172)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates redemption of unit equivalents	(28,403)
Ending balance	388,588	97,661	97,677	99,917
Rayonier Limited Partnership | General Partners’ Capital | Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	14,712	15,566	15,796
Issuance of units associated with the merger with Pope Resources	1,724
Net income (loss)	376	591	1,022
Distributions on units	(1,500)	(1,400)	(1,379)
Issuance of shares under the “at-the-market” equity offering, net of commissions and offering costs of $799	326
Issuance of units under incentive stock plans	16	13	86
Stock-based compensation	81	69	64
Repurchase of units	(47)	(127)	(30)
Adjustment of Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	(239)
Conversion of units to common shares	5
Ending balance	15,454	14,712	15,566	15,796
Rayonier Limited Partnership | General Partners’ Capital | Units | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			7
Ending balance				7
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Limited Partners’ Capital | Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,456,471	1,541,068	1,563,810
Issuance of units associated with the merger with Pope Resources	170,694
Net income (loss)	37,236	58,514	101,194
Distributions on units	(148,375)	(138,640)	(136,555)
Issuance of shares under the “at-the-market” equity offering, net of commissions and offering costs of $799	32,248
Issuance of units under incentive stock plans	1,573	1,247	8,505
Stock-based compensation	7,945	6,835	6,364
Repurchase of units	(4,710)	(12,553)	(2,954)
Adjustment of Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	(23,625)
Conversion of units to common shares	491
Ending balance	$ 1,529,948	$ 1,456,471	1,541,068	1,563,810
Rayonier Limited Partnership | Limited Partners’ Capital | Units | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 704
Ending balance				$ 704