<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-09-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001364541</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EAGLE ROCK ENERGY PARTNERS L P</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EROC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001436264</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Giroir L. Patrick Jr.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>EAGLE ROCK ENERGY PARTNERS, LP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 2968</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77252</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Midstream Business</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>The reporting person is Senior Vice President, Midstream Business of Eagle Rock Energy G&amp;P, LLC, the general partner of Eagle Rock Energy GP, L.P., the general partner of the registrant.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles C. Boettcher, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-09-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
