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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-04-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <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>16701 GREENSPOINT PARK DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77060</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units representing limited partner interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4794</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes (1) and (2)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On April 30, 2007, Montierra Minerals &amp; Production, L.P. (&quot;Montierra&quot;) completed a transaction with the Issuer in which it received 2,820,578 common units. The reporting person owns 0.17% of Montierra and, thus, indirectly owns 4,794 common units through his ownership in Montierra.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of the reported securities for purposed of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joseph E. Schimelpfening</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-05-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
