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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001398357</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHIMELPFENING JOSEPH E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>EAGLE ROCK ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. 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, Upstream Business</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3702</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-08-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-05-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3702</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35644</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pro rata distribution for no consideration by Eagle Rock Holdings, L.P. to each of its partners of warrants for common units of Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Warrants are only exercisable on each of August 15, 2010, November 15, 2010, March 15, 2011, May 15, 2011, August 15, 2011, November 15, 2011, March 15, 2012 and May 15, 2012. The warrants are freely tradeable until May 15, 2012.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Reflects the pro rata distribution for no consideration by Eagle Rock Holdings, L.P. to each of its partners of warrants for common units of Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

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

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles C. Boettcher, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
