Mycopteris longipilosa is endemic to the Chocó region of South America, the tropical forests on the western flanks of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. At middle elevations in these forest, M. longipilosa is often a common epiphyte. The long pale setae present on the petiole and leaf surfaces distinguish it from other species of Mycopteris. It is often confused with M. taxifolia, but that species lacks these long setae, and does not overlap in range with M. longipilosa.