Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2013 Warrants on Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2012 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Warrants on Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Warrants on Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] Warrants on Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Retained Earnings [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Period Start			$ 1,438,004						$ 670,749	$ 630,286		$ 876,634	$ 806,235	$ (109,379)	$ (113,448)
Shares Issued, Period Start									123,332,444	122,035,177
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Period Start			0													0	0
Total Stockholders' Equity, Period Start			1,438,004	1,323,073	1,323,073
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest			96,086													96,086
Net income attributable to Parent	87,164	69,079	234,899	122,515								234,899	278,685
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	727	0	727	0												727	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	87,891	69,079	235,626	122,515	278,685
Dividends			(110,886)		(208,286)							(110,886)	(208,286)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans			6,643		25,495				6,643	25,495
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plan, Shares									861,838	1,467,024
Stock-based compensation			6,253		15,116				6,253	15,116
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation			7,399		7,635				7,399	7,635
Repurchase of common shares			(11,241)		(7,783)				(11,241)	(7,783)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares									(209,743)	(169,757)
Maturity of Warrants, Value			0								0
Maturity of Warrants, Shares						97,918	2,037,303	2,135,221			2,135,221
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans attributable to Rayonier Inc.														8,687	(496)
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans attributable to noncontrolling interest																0	0
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans	3,717	3,401	8,687	6,541	(496)
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to Rayonier Inc.														(17,650)	4,352
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest																(9,576)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(28,201)	(8,081)	(27,226)	(2,255)	4,352
Joint venture cash flow hedges attributable to Rayonier Inc.														1,431	213
Joint venture cash flow hedges attributable to noncontrolling interest																(656)	0
Joint venture cash flow hedges	222	(1,998)	775	(793)	213
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Period End	1,563,539		1,563,539		1,438,004				679,803	670,749		1,000,647	876,634	(116,911)	(109,379)
Shares Issued, Period End									126,119,760	123,332,444
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Period End	86,581		86,581		0											86,581	0
Total Stockholders' Equity, Period End	$ 1,650,120		$ 1,650,120		$ 1,438,004
Dividends [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared			$ 0.88		$ 1.68